A tragic helicopter crash on the icy surface of Ririe Reservoir near Idaho Falls on Thursday claimed the life of 59-year-old Bradford Brown, a respected CEO from Alpine, Utah. Brown was reportedly on board the aircraft when it went down about a mile east of the dam. According to the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, he succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
A second passenger, whose identity has not been released, survived the crash and was transported to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the accident, and an investigation is currently underway.
Brown was a highly regarded leader in the medical device industry, serving as the founder and CEO of ATL Technology, a Springville-based company specializing in medical device manufacturing. His influence extended beyond ATL, as he was also a dedicated board member of BioUtah, a nonprofit organization supporting Utah’s life sciences sector.
Kelvyn Cullimore, CEO and President of BioUtah, described Brown as a pivotal figure in the industry, referring to him as a “true captain” of the medical device community.
“He was a humble family man, a true Christian, and deeply passionate about flying—a skill he mastered over decades,” Cullimore said. “His loss is a profound one for Utah’s life sciences community. He spent years in executive leadership at BioUtah, advocating for the industry’s growth. Our hearts go out to his wife, Shannon, his family, and the entire team at ATL.”
Following news of his passing, ATL Technology released a statement expressing their sorrow.
“Our close-knit ATL family is heartbroken by the tragic loss of our founder,” the statement read, noting that Brown’s passing came just weeks before his 60th birthday.
“He was a visionary leader, deeply passionate about ATL, the life sciences industry, and, above all, his family and community. His impact on ATL and the global life sciences sector is immeasurable.”
In honor of his legacy, ATL Technology has pledged to provide mental health support for employees, many of whom had worked alongside Brown for decades.
Brown was an experienced pilot, logging more than 4,200 flight hours across both airplanes and helicopters. A graduate of Brigham Young University with a degree in Medical Engineering, he was widely respected for his business acumen, innovative contributions to medical technology, and dedication to advancing Utah’s life sciences industry.