Latest news with #Bell505
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Spokane County replaces aging aircraft with $3.4M helicopter upgrade
This story was originally published on The Spokane County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) unveiled its new $3.4 million Bell 505 helicopter at Felts Field Wednesday afternoon. The new helicopter will replace two 55-year-old aircraft that have been retired from the force after decades of service, according to the sheriff's office. Spokane Valley Police Chief Dave Ellis noted his admiration for the upgrade. 'Its advanced technology will improve our ability to combat rising auto thefts and conduct safer operations, including searches for missing children, Alzheimer's patie nts, and outdoor recreationists,' Ellis said, according to SCSD. The helicopter can reach a top speed of 125 knots per hour (kts) and a hover ceiling of 14,450 feet, according to BellFlight. SCSO fully equipped the helicopter with upgraded technology such as thermal imaging cameras and a live-stream video feed. The sheriff's office received a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, a $200,000 state grant for the thermal imaging cameras, $1.6 million from Spokane County, and raised money from the sale of an older SCSO helicopter, according to The Spokesman-Review. 'It's unbelievable how clear of an image they can get if they wanted to do surveillance over somebody that was a really bad guy. They could fly over at 7,000 feet and read the license plate,' John Preston, retired LAPD officer, said, according to The Spokesman-Review.
Express Tribune
22-02-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
Utah CEO killed in Idaho helicopter crash after aircraft hits powerline
Listen to article Federal authorities are investigating a helicopter crash that occurred at Ririe Reservoir in Bonneville County, Idaho, resulting in one fatality and one injury. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the incident involved a Bell 505 helicopter. Emergency responders, utilizing snowmobiles, arrived at the crash site around 4:40 p.m. and located two occupants inside the aircraft. One individual was pronounced dead at the scene, while the second occupant was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Bonneville County Coroner Shante Sanchez identified the deceased as 59-year-old Bradford Brown of Alpine, Utah. Brown, who owned the helicopter, was the CEO of ATL Technology, a Utah-based manufacturing company that partners with leading medical device firms. Photo: ATL Technology Sanchez did not confirm whether Brown was piloting the aircraft at the time of the crash, citing the ongoing investigation. According to a preliminary FAA report obtained by USA TODAY, the helicopter struck a powerline before crashing onto the frozen reservoir. Authorities have not yet determined why the aircraft was in the area. In response to the incident, officials closed off Ririe Reservoir and its surrounding areas due to safety concerns related to downed power lines and unstable ice conditions.
USA Today
21-02-2025
- General
- USA Today
Helicopter crashes into frozen lake in Idaho; pilot killed, 1 hospitalized
Helicopter crashes into frozen lake in Idaho; pilot killed, 1 hospitalized Federal authorities are investigating after a helicopter crashed into a frozen lake Thursday in Idaho killing a pilot and injuring one passenger. The crash involved a Bell 505 and took place at the Ririe Reservoir in the city of Rexburgh, a Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson told USA TODAY Friday morning. The city is in Madison County in the state's southeast about 30 miles northeast of Idaho Falls. The Bonneville County Sheriff's Office reported multiple agencies responded to the crash about 4:40 p.m. using snowmobiles and found two people inside the helicopter. According to a statement from the sheriff's office, first responders found one occupant dead at the scene. A second occupant was taken by ambulance to a hospital for to be treated for non-life threatening injuries, the agency reported. Flight safety is under scrutiny: 3 questions sparking debate What caused the Idaho helicopter crash? The official cause of the crash was not immediately known Friday, but according to a preliminary FAA report obtained by USA TODAY, the aircraft struck a powerline before it crashed on the ice. The sheriff's office said it was not immediately known why the helicopter was in the area. Following the crash, the department said, deputies shut down Ririe Reservoir and the area around the crash site for safety due to downed power lines and unstable ice conditions. Identities of helicopter victims not yet released As of Friday, officials had not released the identification of the fatality victim. The identity of the passenger on board was also not immediately known. The official cause of the crash remained under investigation by the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board on Friday, the FAA spokesman said. Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund.
