A Manatee County Mosquito Control helicopter struck a private radio tower in Myakka City and crashed, killing the pilot, on Thursday night.
The county sheriff’s office said multiple 911 calls were received about the collision around 8:54 p.m. The helicopter crashed in a wooded area behind several homes on the 10000 block of 290th Street East, near Dakin Dairy Farms.
The pilot, identified as 63-year-old Isaac Moore, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Residents who reported the crash removed the pilot as sheriff’s deputies, East Manatee Fire Rescue and Manatee County EMS were en route, the sheriff’s office said.
Moore was the only occupant of the helicopter, and no other injuries were reported, the sheriff's office said.
Aerial pesticide spraying for mosquitoes has increased in the Tampa Bay area because of an outbreak of dengue fever. While no cases have been reported this year in Manatee County, it is under a state-issued advisory for mosquito-borne illnesses.
Of the state’s confirmed 368 cases this year through Oct. 10, 310 have been in Hillsborough County and 37 in Pinellas County, according to the state health department.
The mosquito control agency says it only sprays when there is a need based on mosquito population surveillance.
A second agency helicopter was in the area conducting routine spraying at the time of the crash. That helicopter landed safely nearby, authorities said.
Sheriff’s detectives secured the scene and are continuing to coordinate with the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board on the crash investigation, the sheriff’s office said.
