Mechanical Issues Suspected in Fatal Arizona Helicopter Crash
In a tragic February incident, two members of the Arizona Department of Public Safety lost their lives in a helicopter crash in Flagstaff. A preliminary report reveals that mechanical failure might have contributed to the accident.
On the evening of February 4, Trooper-paramedic Hunter Bennett and pilot Robert Skankey were assisting Flagstaff police during a pursuit of a suspect involved in a shooting incident in a residential area. The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary findings, released on Tuesday, suggest a potential malfunction in the helicopter’s main rotor, though the exact cause of the crash remains undetermined. Notably, the investigation found no signs of gunfire impacting the helicopter.
According to the report, investigators heard two loud noises over the radio, followed by a distress call, “We’re going down,” before the helicopter plummeted. A comprehensive final report is expected to take over a year to complete.
The chase originated from a domestic violence report in a neighborhood in west Flagstaff. The situation escalated into a prolonged standoff, during which officers exchanged gunfire with Terrell Storey, 50. After two hours, police apprehended Storey.
Storey now faces 60 felony charges, including two counts of first-degree murder related to the deaths of Bennett and Skankey. Under Arizona law, individuals can be charged with murder if a death occurs during the commission of certain crimes.
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