Las Vegas Police Helicopter Rotors Touched A Wall In Red Rock Canyon

A Bell HH-1H "Huey" helicopter operated by the Las Vegas police was on a training mission May 18th when a gust of wind pushed it too close to the walls of Red Rock Canyon, causing the main rotor blades to touch the rockface. The pilots landed the aircraft safely with no injuries to any of the five people on board.

The FAA is investigating the incident, which it had originally classified as an 'accident'. But an internal FAA e-mail obtained by the Las Vegas Review-Journal indicates that after the rotor contact with the rockface had been reported by the Las Vegas Metro PD, It was re-classified as an 'incident' and was under review. Bill Cassell, a spokesman for the police department, said it would be "inappropriate" for him to comment on an open FAA investigation.

The incident occurred about 20 miles northwest of Las Vegas about midday. Cassell did not say how much damage was done to the helicopter, or whether it had been repaired and was once again flying.

FMI: www.faa.gov