Preliminary Report: Jungle landing in Panama for two

Bell 206 JetRanger, Changuinola, Panama, April 21, 2007–The commercial pilot and a passenger were killed and two passengers seriously injured when the Panamanian-registered JetRanger crashed while landing in a jungle clearing. The helicopter, operated by Heliflight of Panama as an on-demand air taxi, had flown from a mining camp. One of the landing-gear skids touched down in the wet ground outside the landing area. Attempting to reposition the helicopter, the pilot lost control while on the landing area.