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2007 Phoenix news helicopter collision

|total_injuries = None on the ground |total_fatalities = 4 |total_survivors = 0 |plane1_type = Eurocopter AS-350 B2 |plane1_name = Chopper15 |plane1_operator = KNXV-TV |plane1_tailnum = N215TV |plane1_passengers = 1 |plane1_crew = 1 |plane1_survivors = 0 |plane2_type = Eurocopter AS-350 |plane2_name = Newschopper3 |plane2_operator = KTVK |plane2_tailnum = N613TV |plane2_passengers = 1 |plane2_crew = 1 |plane2_survivors = 0 }}

The 2007 Phoenix news helicopter collision occurred on July 27, 2007 at around 12:45pm MST when two AS-350 AStar helicopters from KNXV-TV and KTVK news stations collided in mid-air above Steele Indian School Park in Phoenix, Arizona while covering a police pursuit. Four people were killed: KTVK pilot Scott Bowerbank and photographer Jim Cox; and pilot Craig Smith and photographer Rick Krolak of KNXV. No one on the ground was injured.

As reported by the Associated Press, the KNXV helicopter was broadcasting live at the time of the collision, and this footage subsequently circulated on media-sharing websites such as YouTube. As the helicopter's camera was pointed at the ground, viewers did not see the other aircraft. KNXV pilot-reporter Craig Smith and anchor Rebecca Thomas were describing events live when Smith was heard to utter "Oh, geez!" as the image broke up and violent crashing noises were heard. The station immediately cut away to the studio news anchor, although screaming can be heard in the background before the link is cut off. In footage from the KTVK helicopter, viewers heard the pilot talking about the scene and then the picture just went black. There was no indication of a problem at all. Three other news helicopters from other stations (KSAZ, KPNX, KPHO) were in the area and began reporting on the crash within seconds of it occurring. One photographic image is known to exist taken a moment after the collision, showing both Helicopters plunging towards the ground; this image was circulated by the AP and shown on major media such as CNN.

KSAZ "SkyFox10" reporter-pilot Don Hooper witnessed the mid-air collision. In unedited video footage, Hooper becomes very shaken and upset as he reports that "Channel 15 and Channel 3 just had a mid-air collision. They are in a park." The video also contains audio of Hooper calling the tower at nearby Sky Harbor airport on his aircraft's FAA radio reporting the collision. Hooper then talks on a discreet frequency to another news helicopter belonging to KPNX saying he is OK, but two other helicopters just crashed. Hooper then says "I think it was Scott" referring to KTVK pilot Scott Bowerbank.

The cause of the mid-air collision is under investigation by both the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board. Barbara Cochran, president of the Radio-Television News Directors Association, said she could not remember any previous incident involving two news helicopters colliding while covering a story.

The day of the accident, Phoenix Police Chief Jack Harris brought up the possibility that the suspect in the chase the two helicopters were watching could "be held responsible for any of the deaths from this tragedy.

2007 Phoenix news helicopter collision

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