N163AK Aerokopter AK1-3 Sanka Aviation Accident 2025-05-17
Fatal Accident (1) - Private, Aerokopter AK1-3 Sanka, N163AK, near Prineville, Crook County, OR, May 17, 2025.
Interactive Map
Accident Information
| Approx. Accident Location | Aircraft Fat. | Aircraft Inj. | Ground Fat. | Ground Inj. | ASN Entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 44°17'58.77"N, 120°54'41.07"W | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Aviation Safety Network |
Aircraft Information
| Type | Operator | Registration | Serial Number | Manufacture Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aerokopter AK1-3 Sanka | Private | N163AK | 0097 | 2022 |
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Videos
ASX Accident Report
On May 17, 2025, at approximately 11:35 a.m. local time, a privately owned Aerokopter AK1-3 Sanka helicopter, registration N163AK, crashed in an open field near Prineville Airport in Crook County, Oregon. The accident site was located roughly 200 yards south of SW Houston Lake Road, adjacent to the Crook County Landfill. The aircraft, a two-seat Ukrainian-built helicopter powered by a Subaru engine and manufactured in 2022, was conducting a private flight at the time of the crash. Emergency responders were dispatched following multiple 911 calls reporting the downed aircraft, and upon arrival, located the wreckage and its two occupants—an 80-year-old male pilot and a 46-year-old male passenger.
The individuals involved were identified, though official records withheld their names. Independent sources identified the passenger as Dan Wackerman. Both occupants sustained severe injuries and were airlifted to Bend for emergency medical treatment. The pilot succumbed to his injuries shortly after hospital admission, while the passenger remains in critical condition with major spinal and traumatic brain injuries. At the time of the crash, the 46-year-old was reportedly providing flight instruction to the pilot, indicating a training context for the flight operation. No injuries occurred on the ground, and no damage to surrounding property was reported.
The cause of the crash has not yet been determined. Initial findings from the site showed the helicopter impacted terrain during the approach phase of flight, but no mechanical failure or external interference has been formally cited. Investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have taken over the case and will be responsible for determining the underlying cause of the event. Weather conditions at the time have not been highlighted as a factor, and no indication of air traffic conflict or mid-air distress has been reported.
This page will be updated as more information becomes available.
GoFundMe Page for the Surviving Crash Victim Dan Wackerman
Tracking and Social Media
- Flight Tracking: flightradar24, FlightAware, ADS-B Exchange, AirNav Radar
- Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube
Sources and References
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