Helicopter crash kills child, four adults in Pennsylvania

A HELICOPTER crash in a rugged, wooded area of Pennsylvania has claimed the lives of five people, including a child, officials say.

The crash happened on Saturday night after the pilot told air traffic controllers he was losing altitude, according to the county coroner.

Wyoming County coroner Thomas Kukuchka said the pilot contacted a nearby tower around 10.30pm local time saying he would attempt to retu to another airfield nearby.

Although the names of those on board have not been released, Kukuchka said three men, a woman and a child were on board.

"It appears to be a father and son, a father and daughter and the pilot," he said.

Kukuchka did not release the ages of the victims. He said his office was trying to reach family members of the deceased in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania.

State police and FAA personnel were still on the scene on Sunday evening, according to Trooper Adam Reed, a state police spokesman. Additional details will be released as the investigation progresses, he said.

Although it was not clear if weather played a role in the crash, Kukuchka said there were severe thunderstorms in the area on Saturday night. The coroner and police said rough weather contributed to the difficulty of the search; the wreckage was located shortly before 2pm local time on Sunday.

The FAA said the helicopter was bound for Jake Aer Memorial Airport in Lehighton.

The National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation, the FAA said.