NTSB zeroes in on cause of helicopter crash that killed 2 officers

The fatal crash of a police helicopter during the pursuit of an active shooter in Arizona last month may have been caused by a mechanical issue, according to a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report released Tuesday.

Arizona Department of Public Safety trooper-paramedic Hunter Bennett and aviation supervisor pilot Robert Skankey were both killed in the crash on Feb. 4 in Flagstaff.

The preliminary NTSB report said there was no evidence that the Bell 407 helicopter, known as Ranger 56, was hit by gunfire.