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DPS Helicopter Crashed Despite Replacement Plans
The aging aircraft had been slated for replacement but remained in service until the fatal accident.
Feb. 6, 2026 at 7:47pm
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An Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter, Ranger 56, crashed in Flagstaff on Wednesday night, killing the pilot and a DPS paramedic trooper. The helicopter had undergone an inspection just days before the incident, but officials say it was "not outdated" and "regularly inspected." In 2020, former Governor Doug Ducey's budget request included funding to replace Ranger 56, but subsequent budget proposals pushed the replacement timeline back, and the helicopter remained in service until the fatal crash.
Why it matters
The crash raises questions about the state's management of its aging aircraft fleet and whether budget constraints led to the continued use of the helicopter despite known replacement plans. The incident also highlights the risks faced by law enforcement and emergency personnel who rely on aging equipment to carry out their duties.
The details
Ranger 56, a 2004 Bell 407 helicopter, had undergone an inspection on January 29, just days before the crash. DPS Director Col. Jeffrey Glover stated that the helicopter was "not outdated" and "regularly inspected." However, budget requests to replace the aircraft had been in the works since 2020, with the replacement initially planned for fiscal year 2021 or 2023, before being pushed back to fiscal year 2025 in a subsequent governor's budget proposal.
- The helicopter crashed on Wednesday night, February 5, 2026, in Flagstaff, Arizona.
- The helicopter had undergone an inspection on January 29, 2026, just days before the crash.
- In 2020, former Governor Doug Ducey's budget request included funding to replace Ranger 56 in either fiscal year 2021 or 2023.
- A subsequent governor's budget proposal, reviewed by ABC15, had pushed the replacement timeline to fiscal year 2025.
The players
Jeffrey Glover
The director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
Doug Ducey
The former governor of Arizona who had included funding to replace Ranger 56 in his 2020 budget request.
Robert B. Skankey
The pilot of the DPS helicopter that crashed.
Hunter R. Bennett
The DPS paramedic trooper who was killed in the helicopter crash.
What they’re saying
“Ranger 56 had undergone an inspection just days before the helicopter's crash Wednesday night in Flagstaff, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.”
— Jeffrey Glover, DPS Director
“When asked about the age and condition of the 2004 Bell 407 helicopter, Glover said it was "not outdated" and was "regularly inspected.”
— Jeffrey Glover, DPS Director
What’s next
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board are trying to determine the cause of the Ranger 56 crash. Preliminary findings typically take several weeks, with a final report expected in 12-18 months.
The takeaway
This incident highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement and emergency services in maintaining aging equipment, even when replacement plans are in place. It raises questions about budget priorities and the potential risks to public safety when critical resources are not adequately funded or replaced in a timely manner.
