2025 Ekalaka helicopter crash

Last updated
2025 Ekalaka helicopter crash
Guidance Aviation N67GA Robinson R66 (cropped).jpg
N67GA, the helicopter involved in the crash
Occurrence
DateOctober 22, 2025
SummaryUnder investigation
SiteNear Ekalaka, Montana, United States
Aircraft
Aircraft type Robinson R66 Turbine
OperatorBailey Aviation Management LLC
Registration N67GA
Occupants4
Passengers3
Crew1
Fatalities4
Survivors0

On October 22, 2025, a Robinson R66 helicopter crashed near Ekalaka, Montana, killing all four occupants. The victims were members of the family of Darren Bailey, the Republican nominee for Governor of Illinois in the 2022 Illinois gubernatorial election and a candidate in the 2026 Illinois gubernatorial election. [1] As of October 23, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) was still investigating the cause of the crash. [2]

Contents

Background

Aircraft

The aircraft involved in the accident was N67GA, a Robinson R66 manufactured in 2014. [3] On October 29, 2014, the helicopter, while being operated by Guidance Academy LLC, suffered a bird strike during training in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, resulting in substantial damage to the rotor blade. The accident investigation report was completed by the NTSB. [4]

Passengers and crew

The helicopter was piloted by Zachary Bailey, the 37-year-old son of Darren and Cindy Bailey. The other occupants were Zachary's wife Kelsey, their 12-year-old daughter Vada Rose, and their 7-year-old son Samuel. [5] A third child, 10-year-old Finn Bailey, was not aboard and remained safe with family friends. [6] Darren Bailey, a farmer and former state legislator from Xenia, Illinois, announced his 2026 gubernatorial campaign in September 2025 with the slogan "Faith, Family, Farming". [7]

Crash

The single-engine turbine helicopter departed an unspecified location earlier that day. It crashed in remote rangeland approximately 5 miles (8.0 km) northwest of Ekalaka, a town of roughly 400 residents in Carter County, Montana. [8]

Response

Bailey's campaign issued a statement late on October 22:

Darren and Cindy are heartbroken by this unimaginable loss. They are finding comfort in their faith, their family, and the prayers of so many who love and care for them. [9]

Illinois Republican Party Chair Kathy Salvi called for prayers, while Bailey's 2026 running mate Aaron Del Mar described the incident as "a devastating time for the entire Bailey family". [10]

Investigation

The NTSB dispatched a team to the site on October 23. The Federal Aviation Administration is assisting.[ citation needed ]

References

  1. ↑ "Four members of Darren Bailey's family killed in Montana helicopter crash". Chicago Tribune. October 23, 2025.
  2. ↑ "Preliminary Information: Ekalaka, MT Accident". NTSB. October 23, 2025.
  3. ↑ "Aircraft Inquiry". Federal Aviation Administration . Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  4. ↑ "Bird strike Accident Robinson Co R66 N67GA, Wednesday 29 October 2014". Aviation Safety Network . Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  5. ↑ "Bailey family identifies victims in fatal Montana helicopter crash". WAND-TV. October 23, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Grandson not on board Montana helicopter that killed 4 members of Darren Bailey's family". ABC7 Chicago. October 23, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Darren Bailey launches 2026 bid for Illinois governor". Bailey for Illinois. September 15, 2025.
  8. ↑ "Helicopter carrying Darren Bailey's son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren crashes in Montana". NBC Chicago. October 23, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Statement from the Bailey Campaign" (Press release). Bailey for Illinois. October 22, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Illinois GOP reacts to fatal helicopter crash involving Darren Bailey's family". Illinois GOP. October 23, 2025.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.