Reports from the US’s National Transportation Safety Board indicated that Robinson R66 helicopter scattered debris over a path 125 feet long where two pilots and a passenger died.

The Associated Press reported that helicopter went down in the Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge north of Macon at around 8:46 p.m. during cloudy, rainy weather after taking off from Thomasville.

It was “pouring rain” in the area Wednesday evening when authorities said the helicopter went missing around 8:30 p.m., a woman who lives nearby told The Telegraph.

The helicopter went down in the Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge north of Macon at around 8:46 p.m. during cloudy, rainy weather after taking off from Thomasville.

Helicopter was flying low - reports

She said her husband heard a low-flying aircraft over their house and immediately felt like something was wrong.

After the crash, teams of people were searching on Thursday for the downed aircraft before authorities confirmed the death of the three persons.

In the VI, tributes poured across social media as the news of Pereira’s death sent shockwaves among his family and friends.

Pereira, who also worked as a helicopter flight instructor, grew up in Spanish Town, VG and was well known in the VI’s aviation sector.