Bruce Allen Erickson, the CEO and president of Bozeman-based American Bank, died Wednesday in a helicopter crash.
The crash occurred as Erickson, the pilot, was practicing landings, the Associated Press reported.
The San Diego County medical examiner’s office said the helicopter’s tail struck the ground during a landing Wednesday and it spun out of control at McClellan-Palomar Airport in Carlsbad, Calif.
The medical examiner identified the pilot as 65-year-old Erickson. Also killed was his friend, 60-year-old Wayne Frank Lewis of Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Calif.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash of the Airbus AS350 helicopter.
Fire officials say the aircraft went down shortly before 4:30 p.m.
On Thursday afternoon, American Bank said in a statement that Erickson “had a heart of gold with boundless energy, and his devotion toward community banking was insurmountable.”
“He placed utmost importance on his employees and was very generous to all,” the statement said. “Bruce’s zest for life elevated all those who he came in contact with. He was passionate about giving, with a special concern for children and the local communities the bank serves.”
“Our hearts and prayers go out to the Erickson family, and all those affected by this tragedy.”
The bank “is on solid ground,” the statement concluded, “has a great team, and we will carry Bruce’s legacy into the future.”
American Bank has branches in Bozeman, Livingston, Big Sky, Whitefish and Big Timber.
Erickson had more than 25,000 hours of flight time and ratings to fly various types of airplanes and helicopters, according to the bank’s website.
