SHOCK .................

A few months ago, Ray and I took a helicopter off Saba to get to SXM. People did this a hundred times esp when the weather wasn't up to par for the win air flights. The pilot, Mike, was such a cool guy. On our flight He allowed me to fly the helicopter. He just finished getting another helicopter from the states a few months ago. His business took many people (including the famous ones) around the islands.

I am sad to say that last night, Mike lost his life. He was coming into Saba to pick up a sick patient to air lift to St. Maarten.

Here is the news:


Tuesday evening October 21, 2008: We've received the news that a helicopter has crashed into the sea close to Saba airport.

Wednesday morning 7.00 am October 22, 2008: article in the Daily Herald:
From the Daily Herald Wednesday Oct 22, 2008

PHILIPSBURG--Reports reaching The Daily Herald shortly before press time this morning said a helicopter on a mercy mission from St.Maarten had crashed in the vicinity of Saba’s airport and apparently had disappeared into the sea.

Reliable sources in Saba reported that the helicopter had been summoned to that island to
air dash a patient who had fallen seriously ill to St. Maarten, but had encountered problems while navigating in the vicinity of Juancho Yrausquin Airport.

The reports said a group of Saba fishermen had been mobilised quickly for a rescue mission and a St. Maarten based

Coast Guard vessel and crew had been sent to Saba to spearhead the exercise.

However, up to press time it could not be determined whether the pilot and aircraft had been found.

In the meantime, according to the reports, authorities opted to transport the patient, who was said to be in critical condition, by boat to St. Maarten for emergency medical attention.

October 21, 2008 / 10.00 am: Airport authorities confirm by phone that the helicopter that crashed into the sea is the R44 from Leeward Islands Helicopters with pilot Mike Huttenlocker on board.
At this time we have no information if eventually anybody else was also on board.
( still hoping for a survival miracle )

October 21, 2008 / 10.30 am: a spokes person from the St.Maarten Sea rescue confirms by phone that parts of the helicopter have been found. No information about the pilot as yet.

October 21, 2008 / 11.30 am: Sad news. Jean Claude from the French side sea rescue tells us that there was an American passenger on board. Human remains have been found.

We are in shock. Our prayers and condolences goes out to his family and the family of his passenger.

http://www.airsxm.eu/page.php?page=58