Sedona AZ (September 26, 2013) – Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies are investigating a helicopter crash that occurred at approximately 9:29 a.m. on Wednesday, September 25, 2013, near Forest Service Road 171 approximately twelve miles northwest of Flagstaff. Medical personnel from the Ponderosa Fire District also responded to this incident.

Emergency first responders found four people in the aircraft, three with minor injuries including the pilot. Two of the aircraft passengers complained of shoulder pain and were taken to the Flagstaff Medical Center by Guardian Medical Transport.

The fourth occupant was uninjured.

At this stage in the investigation, CCSO Deputies have learned that the aircraft was rented by a private pilot and departed from a Mesa, Arizona, airport early this morning. The occupants were headed to a shooting event at the C and C Ranch.

Deputies are investigating the possibility that the pilot was landing and, at approximately twenty feet above the ground, a gust of wind caused the pilot to lose control. An on-scene Coconino County Sheriff’s Sergeant conducted a conference call with officials of the FAA and the NTSB to inform them of the accident.

FAA and NTSB will join the CCSO investigation.

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