Pilot and forestry worker who died in helicopter crash remembered lovingly by family and colleagues

As the loved ones of two men who died mourn their tragic loss, an investigation is underway into why a forestry helicopter crashed in a remote coastal area.

Riley Browne is remembered by colleagues for his big smile—and for being kind, smart and a quick learner.

The Port McNeill man died Tuesday morning in a helicopter crash. Browne was flying two forestry workers from CFMB, a forestry company based on Vancouver Island, when his Hughes 500 helicopter went down near Knight Inlet, on B.C.’s central coast.

One forestry worker survived and remains in stable condition, the other—Bobby Nowak, a Cumberland resident—also died.

“The aerial community is a very tight-knit community, and this news is going to be devastating to both the forestry community of the north island and the aerial community of british Columbia,” said Forestry Minister Ravi Parmar on Wednesday.

It was the second fatal helcopter crash in three days involving B.C. pilots. On Monday, Nicholas Dale, a pilot from Sooke, died while fighting a wildfire in Colorado.

“These are vital jobs, but they are certainly dangerous jobs,” Parmar said regarding Tuesday’s crash. “I know that there will be an active investigation.”

Nowak’s heartbroken family told CTV News in a statement Wednesday: “The family is shocked and devastated by this tragic loss. Bobby was an incredible husband, son, uncle, brother and friend. He will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.”

Browne’s general manager at West Coast Helicopters, Sean Smyth, said the pilot had worked for the company for the past five years. He told CTV News that Browne “was awesome,” and described him as “very thoughtful.”

Smyth also recounted how colleagues’ kids gravitated to Browne, calling him “Uncle Riley.”

Investigators with the Transportation Safety Board attended the crash scene Wednesday. The cause of the tragedy remains undetermined.