Las Vegas police eye new helicopter
Purchase would replace one that crashed last year; NTSB investigation continues
Metro needs a new bird. With one of the agency’s three patrol helicopters permanently out of commission after a crash on New Year’s Eve, Las Vegas police are poised to bring in a replacement.
On Monday, Metro’s Fis- cal Affairs Committee will vote on whether to approve the purchase of the new, $3.1 million 530F model chopper from MD Helicopters, a company based in Mesa, Ariz.
Nearly the entire cost will be covered by the insurance payment received from the crashed helicopter, according to Metro Air Unit Lt. Jack Clements.
On Dec. 31, Metro’s Air #2 — a carbon copy of the one being purchased — was on its way to a police call when it lost engine power.
With limited time before the aircraft plummeted, the two pilots acted quickly and picked two-lane 23rd Street, a residential road near Bonanza Road, as their landing zone. Avoiding several power lines, they put the helicopter into an autorotation — a power-loss maneuver that allows a pilot to remain in control with the rotor blades still turning to slow the descent.
The
helicopter
landed
Unit struggling with only two craft
hard onto the narrow street, avoiding a dumpster and a car on the side of the road. The impact broke the tail from the body.
The cause for the power loss is still under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board. It typically takes about a year for a final report to be released.
Both pilots suffered minor injuries. Clements said both are recovering well, with one back on light duty and the other expected to return for light duty soon.
Since the crash, the Air Unit has been scraping by.
The other two helicopters in the patrol unit, a Bell 407 and another MD 530F, have been flying more frequently, which means the maintenance of each skyrockets, Clements said.
The unit has also been forced to use the MD 530F that is in the Search and Rescue unit.
“When you’re short a helicopter, it’s not easy,” Clements said. “Having three dedicated patrol helicopters really helps.”
Typically, buying a new helicopter from a manufacturer can take at least two years, Clements said. But Metro will only have to wait about six months after the purchase, which is expected to be approved today.
A private buyer was set to receive the helicopter but gave up his spot on the waiting list when he heard Metro was in need, Clements said.
“We got very very lucky,” Clements said.
If everything goes according to the purchasing contract, the new chopper will be flying above Las Vegas by October. Contact reporter Colton Lochhead at clochhead@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4638. Follow @ ColtonLochhead on Twitter.