James Scheller dies in fatal Prineville helicopter crash
Fatal Prineville helicopter crash death of James Scheller – Obituary
James Scheller, 80, from Powell Butte, lost his life in a helicopter accident near Prineville on May 17. Scheller was flying a 2022 DB Aerocopter AK1-3, a two-seat helicopter, when it went down in an open field roughly 200 yards south of Houston Lake Road close to the Crook County Landfill.
Scheller’s passenger and flight instructor, Dan Wackerman, was thrown from the aircraft during the crash and sustained severe injuries, including what officials described as an “internal decapitation.” Wackerman remains hospitalized at St. Charles Bend in critical condition.
According to Federal Aviation Administration records, Scheller was the registered owner of the helicopter. His obituary highlights his vibrant spirit, curiosity, and loving nature, noting that his legacy will live on through those he impacted. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to a GoFundMe account supporting Wackerman’s medical care.
The National Transportation Safety Board has taken over the investigation into the cause of the crash.
