Phoenix news helicopter collision
On July 27, 2007, two AS-350 AStar helicopters operated by television broadcasters KNXV-TV and KTVK collided in mid-air above Phoenix, Arizona during coverage of a police pursuit. The four individuals aboard—pilots Craig Smith and Scott Bowerbank along with photographers Rick Krolak and Jim Cox—lost their lives in the accident. No injuries were reported on the ground.
Accident
KNXV-TV served as the ABC affiliate in Phoenix, Arizona, while KTVK functioned as an independent news outlet. Both helicopters were transmitting live footage of a police pursuit when they collided at precisely 12:46:18 p.m. MST. The crash occurred within Steele Indian School Park, located in central Phoenix.
Following the incident, three additional news helicopters from local stations (KSAZ, KPNX, and KPHO) promptly covered the crash site. An Associated Press image capturing both aircraft descending post-collision gained widespread distribution.
Aftermath and investigation
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) conducted a thorough investigation, determining that the primary cause was the pilots’ mutual failure to detect and avoid one another. This was further complicated by their responsibilities related to supporting their stations' electronic news gathering (ENG) operations. The absence of standardized procedures for ENG pilots operating in the Phoenix area was identified as a contributing factor.
Phoenix Police Chief Jack Harris initially implied that the fleeing suspect might bear responsibility for the fatalities. Nevertheless, when the suspect pleaded guilty in 2010 to 35 offenses connected to the 2007 police pursuit, no charges were brought concerning the deaths of those aboard the helicopters.
Two years after the tragedy, families of pilot Scott Bowerbank and photographer Jim Cox reached confidential settlements with US Helicopters, owner of the KNXV helicopter. Legal representatives released computer-generated simulations reconstructing the collision, illustrating the KNXV helicopter striking the KTVK helicopter from behind.
Legacy
At the time of this event, five news helicopters were covering the police chase simultaneously, utilizing established Sharp Echo radio communications between news pilots and Phoenix control tower to coordinate their movements. As of , Phoenix’s five English-language commercial TV stations operate with just two helicopters shared among them, maintaining vertical separation between 500 and 1000 feet. Pilots have since been relieved of reporting responsibilities to concentrate exclusively on flying. Advances in technology—such as long-range camera lenses—allow helicopters to film events from safer distances, improving operational safety.
See also
External links
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