American Eurocopter AS 350B2 N613TV/Eurocopter AS 350B2 N215TV, Phoenix, July 27, 2007–The NTSB has released factual information about the midair involving two tv news helicopters in Phoenix. The KTVK-TV Channel 3 (N613TV) and KNXS-TV Channel 15 (N215TV) Eurocopters were operated by KTVK-TV and US Helicopters, respectively. Both electronic news gathering (ENG) helicopters were following the local police pursuit of a fleeing carjacking suspect. The two helicopters collided when the suspect left the vehicle and got into another one.
The pilot and photographer in each helicopter were killed. The helicopters, which came down in a park, were destroyed.
In addition to the Channel 3 and Channel 15 helicopters, a police helicopter and at least two other ENG helicopters were involved in the chase.