Fly it like you stole it...
Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2023 8:28 pm
Note it was a Bell 429, Not a 407 as stated.
https://www.kcra.com/article/sacramento ... t/43327803
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Helicopter heist goes awry: Thief crashes stolen chopper at Sacramento Executive Airport
A thief crashed a chopper at Sacramento Executive Airport after breaking into multiple helicopters overnight, police said.
Someone trespassed on the property between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. and tried to start four helicopters sitting on the tarmac, Sacramento police said. The person eventually got one chopper started, and it crashed.
The person then fled the scene, police said. They aren't aware of any injuries.
KCRA 3 photographer Domi Domalaog saw the helicopter on its side and said it appeared totaled. The tail boom was cracked and the rotors were smashed. The debris field appeared to span hundreds of yards on the tarmac, he said.
KCRA 3 has learned the chopper is a Bell 407 heavy-lift helicopter that can be employed for multiple uses, including firefighting.
It belongs to Capitol Helicopters, KCRA 3 has confirmed.
The incident is being investigated by the FBI and the Federal Aviation Administration, and the National Transportation Safety Board is also on its way to the airport.
A pilot at the scene said local pilots at the airport have been asking Sacramento County for beefed-up security measures. He said the fences aren't high enough and there aren't surveillance cameras.
A spokesperson for the airport said they are waiting to see what the investigation reveals before commenting. They plan to release a statement later.
This story is developing. Stay with KCRA 3 for updates.
https://www.kcra.com/article/sacramento ... t/43327803
.
A thief crashed a chopper at Sacramento Executive Airport after breaking into multiple helicopters overnight, police said.
Someone trespassed on the property between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. and tried to start four helicopters sitting on the tarmac, Sacramento police said. The person eventually got one chopper started, and it crashed.
The person then fled the scene, police said. They aren't aware of any injuries.
KCRA 3 photographer Domi Domalaog saw the helicopter on its side and said it appeared totaled. The tail boom was cracked and the rotors were smashed. The debris field appeared to span hundreds of yards on the tarmac, he said.
KCRA 3 has learned the chopper is a Bell 407 heavy-lift helicopter that can be employed for multiple uses, including firefighting.
It belongs to Capitol Helicopters, KCRA 3 has confirmed.
The incident is being investigated by the FBI and the Federal Aviation Administration, and the National Transportation Safety Board is also on its way to the airport.
A pilot at the scene said local pilots at the airport have been asking Sacramento County for beefed-up security measures. He said the fences aren't high enough and there aren't surveillance cameras.
A spokesperson for the airport said they are waiting to see what the investigation reveals before commenting. They plan to release a statement later.
This story is developing. Stay with KCRA 3 for updates.