Wreckage of Fatal Helicopter Accident Found Near Volcano

Searchers just north of Mt. St. Helens on Wednesday found a helicopter that crashed, killing all three aboard, including a man on assignment to photograph the volcano for National Geographic, officials said.

Nine planes and 11 helicopters were involved in the search for the helicopter, which had taken off Monday. The wreckage was sighted Wednesday afternoon about two miles north of the volcano crater, said Air National Guard spokeswoman Karole Scott.

There were no survivors, said Mac McIver, a spokesman for the Washington state Aeronautics Division. Those aboard were identified as Ralph Perry, a photographer; pilot Doug Hadder; and Ron Montee, a maintenance worker. The cause of the crash had not been determined.