Helicopter crash in northern Arkansas kills 2

SALESVILLE, Ark. (AP) — The Federal Aviation Administration says two people are dead after a helicopter crashed near the Norfork Dam in northern Arkansas.

Baxter County sheriff's deputies say they received the first call about the downed helicopter just before 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. FAA spokesman Roland Herwig says the Hughes Model 269B is owned by Ozark Mountain Helicopters LLC, a tour company based out of Branson, Mo.

A manager at Ozark Mountain Helicopters confirmed it was one of his helicopters but declined to comment further.

Officials say Arkansas Game & Fish Commission officers are responding with off-road vehicles to reach the scene of the crash, on the far side of Norfork Dam in the Overlook Estates area. Deputies say black smoke from the crash could be seen from a distance.

Salesville is about 10 miles southwest of Mountain Home in northern Arkansas.