Hard landing of helicopter in Hildale under investigation – St George News

The Hildale-Colorado City Fire Department responded to an emergency helicopter landing Monday morning, Hildale, Utah, May 27, 2024 | Photo courtesy of the Hildale-Colorado City Fire Department, St. George News

ST. GEORGE – A sightseeing helicopter made a hard emergency landing in Hildale on Monday morning.

Hildale-Colorado City Fire Chief Kevin J. Barlow told St. George News at 7:27 a.m. that the helicopter was providing flights. The aircraft took off from a field and appeared to have experienced a mechanical problem.

“They just had to bring it down fast and hard,” he said.

Barlow said the plane made a “hard landing” in a residential area about a mile north of Mile 1 on State Route 59, just west of North Mulberry Street. The site was at a turnoff on the north side of the highway near some juniper trees in a small grove next to an orchard.

The four occupants suffered minor injuries. And nobody had to be transported for further medical care, Barlow said.

The fire brigade secured the scene and provided fire protection for the helicopter’s leaking fuel. Barlow said they then turned the case over to the Hildale-Colorado City Police Department for examination.

Police Lt. Mark Gowers told St. George News that his department will forward the findings to the National Traffic Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration for further investigation. Emergency officials also requested that the manager of Colorado City Municipal Airport travel to the scene of the accident and assist in reporting the incident to the FAA.

This report is based on statements from police or other emergency services and may not reflect the full scope of the findings.

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