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Copter crashed in New Mexico
When I first heard this I thought it had occured in Iraq or Afghanistan. Then my second thought was that it was some terrorist act being state side. Thankfully they're okay. I was surprised that this story wasn't more wide spread.ALBUQUERQUE (AP) â A sheriff's department helicopter that crash-landed during a burglary investigation was brought down by gunfire, authorities said. Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White said authorities have no suspects but were working with the FBI. Investigators concluded the bullet struck a control pedal, he said. Both the civilian pilot and the deputy who were on board when the helicopter went down early Saturday survived with shrapnel wounds. Pilot Chris Holland suffered a leg injury and is being treated at University of New Mexico Hospital. The nine-year veteran Deputy Ward Pfefferle, suffered minor injuries. The Holland and Pfefferle were assisting deputies on the ground who were investigating a burglary call when the helicopter lost power, White said Wednesday. The pilot told White he heard a pop before helicopter pitched and the engine shut down. "He was trying to do an emergency landing, but it was a crash landing," White said. Investigators examining the wreckage found what appeared to be a small hole in the cockpit windshield, and a bullet fragment was found in the deputy's flight suit. Trajectory tests determined the bullet struck the helicopter's left pedal, one of two that control the aircraft's right or left motion. If it had missed the pedal, it would have struck the pilot in the chest, White said. The morning after the crash, he had said it was a miracle that the two were alive. Authorities intend to pursue federal charges through the U.S. attorney's office for destruction of an aircraft and other appropriate crimes when the person or people responsible are identified. State charges are also possible, White said. Posted by: Jan 2005-08-12 |
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