A Fort Worth Police Department helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing shortly after takeoff today, according to local television coverage, turning a routine lift-off into an unexpected return to the ground.
As reported by WFAA, the chopper came down in Fort Worth just moments after leaving the pad. Video shared by the station shows the aircraft executing a controlled descent and landing. In its initial coverage, WFAA did not identify what caused the emergency landing.
Air Support Unit’s Role and Fleet
The Fort Worth Police Department’s Air Support Unit operates the city’s police helicopters for patrol, search and rescue and other public safety missions, according to the department’s Air Support webpage. Fort Worth Police Department materials highlight the unit’s long history in the city’s law enforcement toolbox.
In addition, manufacturer Bell has said the department recently added a second Bell 505 to its fleet, noting the model’s role in modern police aviation.
Safety Rules, Reporting And Recent Mishaps
Federal rules require notification and reporting for certain aircraft accidents and incidents, and regulations describe when investigators must be alerted. Guidance from the NTSB lays out the criteria that determine which aviation mishaps get reported to federal authorities.
It is not yet clear whether federal investigators will be involved in Sunday’s helicopter landing. Fort Worth has seen other helicopter problems in recent months, including a December crash near the Bell training field that left a small helicopter damaged. That earlier incident was reported by FOX 4.
