CHANDLER, Ariz. — Two people died Friday morning when a helicopter and a single-engine airplane collided midair near the Chandler Municipal Airport, according to police and multiple reports.
The two people killed were in the helicopter when it crashed and burned, Chandler Police Sgt. Jason McClimans and fire department spokesman Battalion Chief Keith Welch told The Associated Press. Officials did not immediately identify the people killed.
McClimans told reporters that the plane was able to land safely at the Chandler airport. It was not known how many people were on the plane at the time of the crash.
“I don’t have any information on the cause of this incident,” McClimans said. “We’re asking people who possibly were in the area that witnessed and/or may have video recorded this incident to contact that Chandler Police Department.”
We are at the scene of a mid-air collision between a plane and helicopter at a Chandler Airpark. We ask anyone who possibly witnessed or caught this incident on camera to contact Chandler PD at 480-782-4130. pic.twitter.com/KcmSHn3LQd
— Chandler Police (@ChandlerPolice) October 1, 2021
Authorities first received reports of the crash around 7:30 a.m. MST, McClimans said. Video obtained by KSAZ-TV showed a blue tarp over the wreckage of the helicopter, which was partially in brush south of Queen Creek Road.
Helicopter crashes in Chandler after reports of mid-air collision with plane.
— FOX 10 Phoenix (@FOX10Phoenix) October 1, 2021
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The collision prompted officials to close the airport for takeoffs and landings. The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration will investigate the crash.
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