Originally published August 5, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified August 5, 2007 at 2:05 AM
Searchers recover 4th body from site of helicopter crash
While firefighters continue to battle a 485-acre wildfire caused by a deadly helicopter crash near Easton, the fourth body was recovered...
Seattle Times staff reporter
While firefighters continue to battle a 485-acre wildfire caused by a deadly helicopter crash near Easton, the fourth body was recovered from the site Saturday.
The body of 42-year-old Keiko Minakata, a flight instructor for Classic Helicopter from Burien, was removed from the crash scene.
The helicopter crashed three miles south of Easton on Thursday shortly after taking off from a logging area, killing all four people on board.
Scott Crawford, spokesman for the Central Washington Area Incident Command Team, said 10 percent of the fire was contained Saturday.
More than 160 firefighters are battling the fire that has been difficult to extinguish because of the rocky terrain. A small spot fire broke out just east of the original crash on Saturday. Crawford said they hope to get additional crew members to tackle it.
"In this case, all extinguishing efforts are going to be with shovels and picks," he said. "It's the worst terrain you can imagine. Safety is our huge concern."
There is only one road that leads to the fire.
"We are trying to establish safety zones and escape routes where we can," he said.
Crawford said there's no estimate on when they will be able to fully contain the fire.
Bob Hagerman, an Everett timber broker, and two of his Korean business clients, Hyun Song and Si Lee, also died in the crash.
The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are on the scene and will be removing the aircraft for further examination.
Other fires continue to burn in Washington.
![]()
The Tolo fire burning in North Cascades National Park 15 miles northwest of Stehekin remains at 225 acres. The fire is 35 percent contained. There are three helicopters and approximately 50 firefighters and 25 support personnel working on it.
The Crow Creek Fire, seven miles northwest of Cliffdell, east of Mount Rainier National Park, has burned 50 acres.
Christine Willmsen: 206-464-3261 or cwillmsen@seattletimes.com
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company
New laws help tenants evicted due to foreclosure
Researchers stunned by inmates' success raising endangered frogs
Seattle may allow homeowners to build backyard cottages
Federal Way group on trail of missing pets
Must Metro commuting at Northgate be so chaotic?

2009 fireworks time lapse
With strict parking rules enforced at this year's July 4th celebration on Wallingford Ave North, less cars and more spectators filled the streets.
Entertainment | Top Video | World | Offbeat Video | Sci-Tech
shopping

events for Monday, Jul. 6th
- Posh on Main Semiannual Sale
- Alhambra July Sale
- Pink Ginger First Anniversary Sale
- Evo Independence Sale
editors' picks
More shopping guidesgeneral classifieds
Garage & estate salesFurniture & home furnishings
Sporting goods
just listed
Sony 2.1 Speakers with Subw... $45
More listings
POST A FREE LISTING
- Landmark Smith Tower mostly vacant
- Property taxes: Appeals shoot up in King, Snohomish Counties
- Palin links resignation to 'higher calling' and blasts media in Facebook posting
- Former NFL MVP McNair killed
- Hard times for tourist towns means good deals for travelers
- Shooting unveils very different sides of McNair
- Tukwila residents rally against light-rail noise
- Quincy Jones remembers "the biggest entertainer on the planet": Michael Jackson
- Confessions of an Idol Addict | "American Idols" on tour: Live coverage from opening date
- Plasma and LCD beware; OLED screens ready to go mainstream
- Seattle Mariners at Boston Red Sox: 07/05 game thread
247 - Palin links resignation to 'higher calling' and blasts media in Facebook posting
172 - Hatred for the NBA runs deep, but don't take it out on the players
137 - Tukwila residents rally against light-rail noise
125 - Former NFL MVP McNair killed
112 - Property taxes: Appeals shoot up is King, Snohomish Counties
103 - Tent City on campus: UW stalls decision
100 - Anti-tax rally in Olympia attracts about 1,500
68 - Seeking your questions
53 - Mariners did their part, now they need help
44
- Property taxes: Appeals shoot up in King, Snohomish Counties
- Hard times for tourist towns means good deals for travelers
- Landmark Smith Tower mostly vacant
- Plasma and LCD beware; OLED screens ready to go mainstream
- Tent City on campus: UW stalls decision
- The People's Pharmacy | Estrogen mimicker found in sunscreen
- Toyota's Toyoda scolds execs for emulating U.S. car companies' mistakes
- Tukwila residents rally against light-rail noise
- Outdoor-theater season kicks off at Volunteer Park
- Seattle safety project: A snake shelter on Beacon Hill
