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Medical Helicopter Crashes in Arizona; 2 Killed, 1 Injured

A medical helicopter crashed near Apache Junction, Arizona, on December 15.

The helicopter, operated by Air Methods, was flying from Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport to Globe when it went down.

There were three crew members aboard at the time; two of them were killed. The deceased were identified as the pilot David Schneider, 51, of Gilbert, and flight nurse Chad Frary, 38, of Mesa.

The third crew member, identified as the paramedic Derek Boehm, 38, of Gilbert, was critically injured.

The FAA and the NTSB are investigating.

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Mesa Police Department Helicopter Crash Lands in Gilbert

helicopterA Mesa Police Department helicopter had to make a hard landing in a field near Stapley Drive & Baseline Road in Gilbert, Arizona.

The incident happened at about 1 a.m. on June 8, when the chopper carrying two police pilots lost engine power and crashed.

According to Mesa Police Department Sgt. Tony Landato, “They had 10 to 15 seconds from engine failure to impact…. The preliminary information I have is that the pilot did a remarkable job avoiding homes by putting the helicopter down in a field… I’ve been told, luckily, there are no serious injuries.”

During the impact, the tail of helicopter broke off.