Sedona AZ (October 14, 2013) – On October 12, 2013, at approximately 1:30 PM, Yavapai County Sheriff’s deputies investigated a report of an aircraft down near a dirt runway about 10 miles north of Horseshoe Dam.
YCSO deputies learned that the pilot, a 51-year-old man from Phoenix, and his passenger, a 44-year-old man from Glendale, landed at the dirt airstrip to hike in the area. The pair returned to the aircraft but, during take-off, the plane was pulled off course by runway ruts that caused the pilot to clip a tree with one of its wings. The wheels then struck some brush and spun the aircraft around in the air before it came to rest.
Fortunately neither man was injured, however, the aircraft sustained heavy damage. The pair called for help, concerned that the plane might catch fire. After determining GPS coordinates for the stranded men, a DPS Ranger helicopter out of Phoenix was requested.
Due to very rough terrain into the area, ground units were unable to immediately access the crash site. The helicopter Ranger crew was able to land, and returned both men to their airport of origin in Deer Valley.
NTSB and FAA officials were notified. Due to the lack of accessibility by ground crews for follow-up, YCSO Rescue 1 flew to the scene and photographed the crash as part of the NTSB investigation.
For the best in Arizona news and views, read www.SedonaEye.com daily!
There’s a search helicopter hovering over Bell Rock in the VOC now. It’s shining a spotlight on the top of the rock. Hope it is that someone is stuck and not that someone has fallen.