ALTON — The fatal Aug. 7 helicopter crash over the Mississippi River near Alton occurred when the aircraft hit a power line and fell onto a barge and caught fire, a National Transportation Safety Board preliminary report has confirmed.

Killed were the pilot, Nicholas Fulton, 35, of Salem, Missouri, and a utility lineman, Michael Cody Curry, 37, of Ashley, Illinois. The two were part of a crew working on power lines crossing the river.

The report said a witness on a towboat reported that the helicopter pilot and lineman, who appeared to be standing on the left skid wearing a safety harness, were trying to attach an "orange ball" safety marker to one line. On a second attempt, the tail of the helicopter struck the line.

The witness reported that it appeared that part of the helicopter sep

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