Officers finish probe of small-craft crash

HOOPER — Weber County sheriff's investigators have finished their probe of a powered-parachute crash that injured at least six people, some of them children, during Hooper Tomato Days celebrations Monday.

"The sheriff's office will not be taking any criminal action against the pilot of the craft, but the case has been referred to the Federal Aviation Administration for their consideration," Weber County Sheriff's Capt. Klint Anderson said.

Anderson identified the pilot as Michael Higley, of Hooper. Higley's young son was a passenger in the aircraft at the time of the crash.

FAA spokesman Mike Fergus said the agency is working with investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board to determine the cause of the crash.

Higley told authorities his aircraft suddenly lost lift as he crossed over power lines on the perimeter of the festival grounds, said NTSB aviation-accident investigator Josh Cawthra. Higley added that he tried to "arrest the descent" of his aircraft, according to Cawthra, but could not keep it from hitting the ground.

Higley and his son had been scheduled to fly over the crowd of families on Monday to drop candy and gifts to festival-goers. Instead — possibly due to wind gusts — the aircraft lost altitude suddenly and crashed into the crowd, injuring at least six people, Anderson said. All have since been released from area hospitals.

— Geoff Liesik