The Arizona night of February 4th held a chilling silence after the crash. A police helicopter, Ranger 56, plummeted from the sky during a desperate pursuit of an active shooter, claiming the lives of two dedicated officers: trooper-paramedic Hunter Bennett and aviation supervisor pilot Robert Skankey.
Initial reports focused on the possibility of gunfire bringing the aircraft down, a terrifying thought during an already intense situation. However, a preliminary investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board revealed no evidence of enemy fire impacting the Bell 407 helicopter.
Maintenance records showed no known issues with Ranger 56, adding to the mystery surrounding the sudden and catastrophic failure. The helicopter had been diligently maintained, leaving investigators searching for answers beyond routine mechanical problems.
The NTSB report paints a harrowing picture of the final moments. While circling above Flagstaff, maintaining visual on the suspect, the helicopter abruptly began a violent, uncontrolled rotation to the right. A strange sound crackled over the radio, immediately followed by two distinct, jarring bangs.
As the aircraft descended rapidly, Bennett’s voice, filled with grim certainty, broke through the radio silence: “We’re going down.” Those were the last words transmitted from Ranger 56 before impact.
Data recovered from the helicopter’s engine control unit revealed a critical and instantaneous loss of power. The main rotor speed plummeted from a stable 97% to zero in less than a second, a near-impossible drop indicating a catastrophic mechanical event.
Simultaneously, engine torque experienced a similar dramatic fall, dropping from 60% to a mere 2%. This suggested an immediate and complete disconnection of the rotor system from the engine’s power source.
A detailed examination of the wreckage uncovered further clues. Investigators found distinct “angular cuts” on the tail rotor driveshaft, accompanied by “deep grooves” and traces of blue paint – evidence of a violent collision with a main rotor blade.
The investigation is far from over. The NTSB anticipates a lengthy process, potentially taking one to two years, to determine the definitive cause of the crash and provide closure to the families and colleagues of the fallen officers.
The events leading up to the helicopter’s loss began with a routine domestic violence call. It quickly escalated into a two-hour standoff as the suspect, 50-year-old Terrell Storey, unleashed a barrage of gunfire from a semi-automatic rifle, moving across rooftops to evade capture.
Storey now sits in county jail, facing a multitude of charges, including two counts of first-degree murder. His actions set in motion a chain of events that culminated in tragedy for the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
Robert Skankey, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps who joined the DPS in 2021, leaves behind his wife and four children. Hunter Bennett, who joined the department in 2022, is survived by his wife, Breanna. Their loss is a profound blow to the community and a stark reminder of the risks faced by those who serve.
