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Theodore 'Ted' Farwell of the Benton and Orangeville area, was crop dusting when an electrical line was struck near Nescopeck, multiple authorities explained.
The 39-year-old had been dusting fields along the 100 block of Mifflin X Road near Bloomsburg when the aircraft went down at 9:45 a.m., according to Columbia County Coroner Jeremy Reese.
The Bell 47G-5 he was flying was registered to Triple F Flying Inc., of Benton, his family's business, according to the Federal Aviation Administration and the company's social media.
Officials with the National Transportation and Safety Board said the helicopter clipped a powerline, crashed, and the vehicle caught on fire.
Farwell was entrapped in the vehicle but bystanders and first responders pulled him out, the police explained.
Around 11 a.m. Resse was called to the scene and Farwell was pronounced dead.
The roadway was closed for several hours and 18 PPL customers lost power for several hours due to the crash.
An autopsy was scheduled for Monday, Aug. 14.
The South Centre Township PD, the FAA, and the NTSB are investigating.
Ted not only played a major role in Triple F Flying, but, he was also behind the scenes, helping his wife Jessie run Farwell Produce Farms, according to the farm's Facebook.
His community is sharing about its sudden loss on social media.
He is survived by his wife and their son and two daughters, parents, and siblings, according to his social media.
Jessie is also expecting the couple's fourth child in January, the family told Daily Voice.
A fund has been set up to help Ted's widow and children. Contributions may be sent to the Stillwater Christian Church, 39 McMichael Street, Stillwater, PA 17878. Please include: "Farwell Fund" on the memo line of the check.
Funeral and memorial service details have not been shared at the time of publishing.
Daily Voice has reached out to the family to express our condolences.
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