Thread: Border Patrol Helicopter Crashes in Yard

Border Patrol Helicopter Crashes in Yard
Associated Press 05.22.07, 2:26 PM ET



A U.S. Customs and Border Protection helicopter crashed in a residential area during a routine patrol along the Mexican border Tuesday, killing the pilot and critically injuring another person onboard.

The helicopter slammed into a yard and hit a pickup truck.

The pilot and passenger, who was a Border Patrol observer monitoring the area for illegal activity, were taken by ambulance to a hospital, Senior Border Patrol Agent Patrick Berry said. No one on the ground was hurt.

A witness to the crash about 10 miles east of El Paso said the helicopter appeared to be coming from New Mexico when it suddenly started having trouble.

"They were flying along real good, then there was a snapping, popping noise," said Wayne Weaver, 47. "You could hear a light hum, then like a thunk." Then the helicopter disappeared and he heard a "boom," Weaver said.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating.


Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/05/ ... 47438.html

Sorry to hear the pilot died in this accident.

Does anyone know how many helicopters we have on the border? Just curious.

Border Patrol observer

MW, I have no idea how many.

had_enuf wrote:

MW, I have no idea how many.

I'd hate to think we just lost 25-50% of our sky eyes along the border.

Did the BP ever get those unmanned drones Bush was so hot for?