Emery County Sheriff releases names in helicopter crash, FAA investigates

EMERY COUNTY – In a statement issued by the Emery County Sheriff’s office around 9 p.m. Monday, the victims of a helicopter crash were identified as pilot Robin Francis Venuti, 38, from Washington, and passenger Albert Munoz Rubio, 36, of Beaver.

The men went flying Sunday morning and were reported to Grand County Sheriff’s Office as overdue about 8 p.m. that night. Multiple agencies and friends joined Grand County and the Department of Public Safety in a widespread search for the helicopter Sunday night and Monday. 

About 2:30 p.m. Monday, the DPS helicopter located the crash site on the west side of Desolation Canyon in Emery County approximately 40 river miles north of Green River.

“It appeared there were no survivors,” the Sheriff’s Office statement said..

The DPS helicopter flew investigators from the Emery County Sheriff’s Office to the scene and the investigators confirmed that there were no survivors.

The bodies were recovered and transported by DPS helicopter to an Emery County off-road ambulance at 6:45 p.m.

The Federal Aviation Administration will handle the crash investigation.

St. George News extends condolences to the Venuti and Rubio families.

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1 Comment

  • FK April 8, 2014 at 3:45 pm

    I briefly knew Robin thru our kids sports but he always appeared to be a great guy and a great father. My heart breaks for his little girls and his wife. Our prayers are with you!

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