NTSB zeroes in on cause of helicopter crash that killed 2 officers

The fatal clang of a constabulary chopper during the pursuit of an progressive shooter successful Arizona past period whitethorn person been caused by a mechanical issue, according to a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) study released Tuesday.

Arizona Department of Public Safety trooper-paramedic Hunter Bennett and aviation supervisor aviator Robert Skankey were some killed successful the clang connected Feb. 4 successful Flagstaff.

The preliminary NTSB study said determination was nary grounds that the Bell 407 helicopter, known arsenic Ranger 56, was deed by gunfire. It besides stated determination were nary known issues with the aircraft, citing caller attraction records.

At 1 constituent arsenic the chopper circled supra the country to support the fishy successful sight, the chopper "began a accelerated rotation to the right," according to the report.

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Arizona Department of Public Safety trooper-paramedic Hunter Bennett had radioed, "We're going down," earlier the crash. (Arizona Department of Public Safety)

"The rotation coincided with an unidentified verbal dependable connected the radio, followed by 2 large banging sounds from the helicopter," the study stated.

Pilot Robert Skankey was besides killed successful the clang connected Feb. 4 successful Flagstaff, Arizona. (Arizona Department of Public Safety)

As the chopper "descended rapidly toward terrain," Bennett radioed, "We’re going down," the study said.

While the study stopped abbreviated of a definitive cause, it said information from the helicopter’s motor power portion showed the main rotor velocity abruptly dropped from 97% to 0% successful little than a second.

This representation from a preliminary NTSB study shows the helicopter's formation way and airspeed earlier the crash. (National Transportation Safety Board )

At the aforesaid time, the NTSB said the motor torque dropped from 60% to 2%, "consistent with an instantaneous removal of the rotor load from the powerfulness turbine."

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An introspection of the wreckage recovered "angular cuts" to the process rotor driveshaft, which besides had "deep grooves with bluish overgarment transportation accordant with interaction with a main rotor blade," according to the report.

The NTSB is moving to find the authoritative origin of the crash. Reports typically instrumentality 1 to 2 years to complete. 

Police had responded to a home unit telephone astir 8:30 p.m. earlier engaging successful a two-hour gunfight with the suspect, who fired astatine officers with a semi-automatic firearm arsenic helium jumped from rooftop to rooftop.

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The suspect, aboriginal identified arsenic 50-year-old Terrell Storey, remains successful region jail. He faces dozens of charges, including 2 counts of first-degree murder.

Skankey, who served successful the United States Marine Corps and joined the DPS successful 2021, is survived by his woman and 4 children. Bennett joined DPS successful 2022 and is survived by his wife, Breanna, FOX10 Phoenix reported.