UPDATED 6 PM: Helicopter pilot dies in Wheeler County crash

FOSSIL, Ore. -- A Johnny Cat/Pacific Rim Helicopters pilot died Monday morning in the crash near Fossil.

Family members identify the pilot as Daniel Townsend, the same pilot who flew the Kim family to safety in 2006, after they were lost for days on Bear Creek Road.

The FAA filed an initial crash investigation report identifying one fatality in the crash of a McDonnell Douglas 369FF helicopter during a wire-pulling operation. The aircraft's main rotor struck a pole, the FAA reports. The aircraft's registration number is listed as jointly owned by Johnny Cat/Pacific Rim of Jacksonville.

The Wheeler County Sheriff's Office says weather is not believed to be a factor in the crash, which happened while power lines were being lifted as part of a construction project.

We'll post more information as soon as we get it.