Probe continues into helicopter crash that killed newlyweds, pilot

UVALDE — (AP) A Texas official says a helicopter carrying 24-year-old newlyweds shortly after their wedding ceremony struck a rural hillside, shattering the aircraft and killing the couple and the pilot.

Uvalde County Justice of the Peace Steve Kennedy told the San Antonio Express-News Monday that the aircraft was carrying William Byler and Bailee Ackerman Byler late Saturday to a regional airport from where they planned to fly to their honeymoon destination.

Kennedy says the helicopter was owned by William Byler’s father but was being flown by 76-year-old Gerald Douglas Lawrence, who had piloted the craft for about 20 years.

The Federal Aviation Administration says the crash occurred northwest of Uvalde, which is about 80 miles (130 kilometers) west of San Antonio.

It’s not yet clear what factors contributed to the crash. 

The National Transportation Safety Board is scheduled to release more details Monday.