Loved ones identify, remember man killed in Mesa helicopter crash

MESA, Ariz. - Loved ones say Chip Paige, 55, was a veteran pilot who leaves a 6-year-old son behind and fiance behind.

Terrifying visuals were caught of a helicopter spinning out of control after a tail rotor reportedly separated while in flight moments before the chopper crashed into Sherwood Park in Mesa, near Stapley Drive and US-60 on Friday.

Fortunately, no bystanders were hurt and the passenger in the crash survived but is being hospitalized.

Paige was the president of Pacific Aviation Holdings, helping gulfstream aircraft owners manage their aircraft.

Close friends remember Paige as a selfless and honest man who had decades of aviation experience.

He'd even use his experience to battle wildfires in California.

“He’s been doing it for years," said his friend Joshua Walden. "He’s been a great mentor for me and quite a few other pilots out there. What happened to Chip yesterday is probably one of the worst things that can happen to you in a helicopter ..."

RELATED: Police: 1 dead following helicopter crash in Mesa

Another friend, Pete Boeller, said, “I sent him a couple text messages last night and I said 'Just please send me something.'"

Adding, "First thing I did this morning was get up and was really hoping that there was gonna be something and as the day goes on then of course we know what we know now.”

He describes his friend as, “very confident in the things that he did and it rubbed off on the people that he worked with and he knew his friends.”

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the deadly crash.

To donate to the family, visit here.