Federal Investigators Probe Whether Power Lines Caused Crash

FRESNO -Federal investigators are probing whether a helicopter crash that killed four in the Sierra Nevada mountains, including a pilot from Desert Hot Springs,may have been caused by a lack of markings on a high-voltage power line running across the river canyon.

The crash happened Tuesday afternoon after the Bell 206 helicopter clipped a Southern California Edison transmission line, sparking a blaze that consumed the craft.

Dennis Donovan of Landells Aviation, in Desert Hot Springs was killed in the crash along with two longtime state scientists. The team had been conducting an aerial deer survey.

Flags are flying at half-staff in honor of the fallen.

Federal Aviation Administration guidelines recommend that companies mark and light their power lines according to national standards, so that pilots can spot potential hazards. A SoCal Edison spokesman says that line was not marked.