Arizona Police Helicopter Crash Kills 2 During Gunfight

Preliminary report points to rotor problem, not gunfire, as cause of fatal crash

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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A police helicopter responding to a gunfight in Arizona crashed, killing the two people on board - trooper paramedic Hunter Bennett and pilot Robert Skankey. A preliminary investigation report found no evidence of bullet damage, but pointed to a mechanical issue with the helicopter's main rotor as the likely cause of the crash.

Why it matters

The crash raises questions about the safety of police aviation operations, especially in high-risk situations like active shootings. It also highlights the dangers law enforcement officers face when responding to violent incidents in the line of duty.

The details

According to the NTSB preliminary report, the helicopter's radio captured two loud banging sounds and a voice saying "we're going down" just before the crash. The main rotor malfunctioned, with three of the four blades landing hundreds of feet away from the wreckage. The report found no evidence of "ballistic punctures" in the wreckage, ruling out gunfire as the cause. Aviation experts say the rotor issue likely led to the tail boom being struck and the helicopter going into an uncontrolled spin.

  • The crash occurred on the night of February 4, 2026.
  • The preliminary NTSB report was released on March 11, 2026.
  • A final NTSB report is expected in a year or more.

The players

Hunter Bennett

A 28-year-old Arizona Department of Public Safety trooper paramedic who was killed in the crash.

Robert Skankey

A 61-year-old pilot who was killed in the crash. Skankey was a longtime resident of Kingman, Arizona, and had worked for the Arizona Department of Public Safety since 2021.

Terrell Storey

A 50-year-old man who police allege was involved in a gunfight with officers, prompting the police helicopter response that ended in the fatal crash.

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What they’re saying

“Something uncoupled the rotor system and it did it very quickly. According to the report, it was uncommanded because it's instantaneous and you never do that. So there's a mechanical issue there.”

— John Cox, CEO of Safety Operating Systems (The Associated Press)

What’s next

The judge in Terrell Storey's case will decide on April 16 whether to grant him bail.

The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the inherent risks and challenges faced by law enforcement when responding to dangerous situations, as well as the need for continued improvements in aviation safety and maintenance to protect those who serve and protect the public.