PCSDs MD530F helicopter with the Superstition Mountains in the background.

The Pima County Sheriff's helicopter crashed today a little before noon North and West of Tucson.  Here is how it was reported by KOLD Television news and one picture from about an hour afterward;

"AVRA VALLEY, AZ (KOLD) - Pima County Sheriffs deputies have confirmed their helicopter has crashed near Waterman Mountain and Silverbell roads.

The helicopter is reportedly on a cliff in the Ironwood National Forest, said Deputy Jason Ogan, a spokesman for the sheriff's department.  Four were onboard the aircraft when it crashed.  Two of those who were on board are talking with sheriffs via cellphone, Mark Stine reported.  Those passengers are fearful of getting out of the craft because it may tip over, Stine added.  The other two are "in and out of consciousness," he said.
Rescuers can be seen trucking in ATVs to the area.

The sheriff's department has one helicopter, according to the department's website. PCSD also has four airplanes.  The department purchased the helicopter in 2008."


That is a nasty picture but the good news is there are people up and on their feet which is a miracle.  Let's hope that everybody is OK.  Gods speed to those that are 10-17.

The words helicopter down on the news always grabs my attention and makes my blood run cold.  It is exponentially worse when I find out that it is a public safety bird close to home.  I still have a lot of friends in the air and I worry.  The last line of the footer on all of my articles says that this site is dedicated to those that can't or won't turn back...thoughts and prayers guys.

2/1/2011 UPDATE-Well, we know now that they weren't OK.  There were four on board.  Three were injured and one, the pilot, was killed.  That pilot was Loren Leonberger.  Regular readers might remember that name because I have written about him before in these pages.  Loren was a crewmate and a friend of mine.


Loren strapping on the 58, doing what he loved.

Let me tell you a little about the man that I was fortunate to know and work with for several years.  He was one of 13 kids, an avid hunter, snow skier and could fly just about anything.  Loren leonberger served in the Vietnam war as an Army helicopter pilot where he was awarded the the Bronze Star.  He went on to spend the next 40 years flying for the Air National Guard, Arizona Department of Public Safety, Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, Los Angeles County Fire, Pima County Sheriff's Department and various contract outfits. 

I can tell you from personal experience that he could do amazing things with a helicopter and that there are many people alive today because of his skill and courage but he was also a very special person.  A great guy and a lot of fun to spend a 24 hour shift with.  He always had a good story to tell and could work miracles with what ever was left over in the refrigerator.  

We lost one of the best yesterday, a real hero.  I am a better man having known him and I will miss him dearly but I have no doubt that Loren Leonberger is going to a better place.  My only question is, what will he choose to fly when he gets there.

2/4/11 Update - Friends, family, colleagues and crewmates gathered together in Tucson today to pay their respects and say goodbye for the last time.  There was a lot of Nomex and hardware in that church and it was good to see so many familiar faces.  While I would have much rather seen them under different circumstances it is always nice and comfortable to be in their company.  They are not perfect. They're human like everybody else I know but there is something special about those folks that I really admire.  I love 'em, even the few I don't like.  It's hard to adequately explain but I can tell you that the fourteen years I spent in the public safety first responder world were the most fulfilling, meaningful and heartbreaking of my life.  Aside from being a husband and father, it is greatest thing I have ever done and that in large part is due to the people I was with today.  

We won't know for sure what happen until the NTSB issues its full report but we do know that Loren spent the waning seconds of his life doing his job and trying to save the lives of his three passengers.  He flew the helicopter all the way to impact then as it rolled and slid down the mountain he turned the fuel pumps off and cut the battery power so they wouldn't catch fire.  The consummate professional to the very end.  So long Loren and thanks for everything.           

Wade Nelson
Editor