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A devastating helicopter crash involving law enforcement officials, which occurred during the pursuit of an active shooter in Arizona last month, might have been triggered by a mechanical malfunction, as suggested by a report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released on Tuesday.
The tragic incident claimed the lives of Arizona Department of Public Safety trooper-paramedic Hunter Bennett and aviation supervisor pilot Robert Skankey on February 4 in Flagstaff.
According to the NTSB’s preliminary findings, there was no indication that the Bell 407 helicopter, designated as Ranger 56, was struck by gunfire. The report highlighted that the aircraft’s maintenance records showed no known issues.
As the helicopter circled the area to maintain visual contact with the suspect, it reportedly “began a rapid rotation to the right,” the report detailed.
In a harrowing moment before the crash, trooper-paramedic Hunter Bennett was heard over the radio saying, “We’re going down,” according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
“The rotation coincided with an unidentified verbal sound on the radio, followed by two loud banging sounds from the helicopter,” the report stated.
Pilot Robert Skankey was also killed in the crash on Feb. 4 in Flagstaff, Arizona. (Arizona Department of Public Safety)
As the helicopter “descended rapidly toward terrain,” Bennett radioed, “We’re going down,” the report said.
While the report stopped short of a definitive cause, it said data from the helicopter’s engine control unit showed the main rotor speed suddenly dropped from 97% to 0% in less than a second.
This image from a preliminary NTSB report shows the helicopter’s flight path and airspeed before the crash. (National Transportation Safety Board )
At the same time, the NTSB said the engine torque dropped from 60% to 2%, “consistent with an instantaneous removal of the rotor load from the power turbine.”
An examination of the wreckage found “angular cuts” to the tail rotor driveshaft, which also had “deep grooves with blue paint transfer consistent with contact with a main rotor blade,” according to the report.
The NTSB is working to determine the official cause of the crash. Reports typically take one to two years to complete.
Police had responded to a domestic violence call around 8:30 p.m. before engaging in a two-hour gunfight with the suspect, who fired at officers with a semi-automatic rifle as he jumped from rooftop to rooftop.
The suspect, later identified as 50-year-old Terrell Storey, remains in county jail. He faces dozens of charges, including two counts of first-degree murder.
Skankey, who served in the United States Marine Corps and joined the DPS in 2021, is survived by his wife and four children. Bennett joined DPS in 2022 and is survived by his wife, Breanna, FOX10 Phoenix reported.
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