After a routine patrol, an Omaha police helicopter made a hard landing Friday morning at the Blair Airport, prompting fire crews and police to respond.
The helicopter was landing just after 9:45 a.m. when it lost power 40 to 50 feet off the ground, said Omaha Deputy Police Chief Kerry Neumann. The helicopter came down hard and landed on its side, causing significant damage, he said.
No fire was reported.
The two officers on board, Matt Baughman and Brian Yaghoutfam, sustained “very minor injuries” and were taken to a hospital to get checked out, Neumann told reporters.
Yaghoutfam, a 12-year veteran of the department’s air support unit, was the pilot Friday, and Baughman, a pilot who has been with the unit for 12½ years, was serving as the tactical flight officer on the flight, Neumann said.
Both have been with the Omaha Police Department for 19 years.
Not long after the crash, Yaghoutfam and Baughman, both wearing flight suits, could be seen standing with other people on the runway. About 10:55 a.m., Yaghoutfam drove off in an Omaha police vehicle with two Blair Police Department vehicles following.
The Blair Airport was closed while the crash was being investigated and because the downed helicopter remained on the runway, Neumann said. The airport reopened at 3 p.m.
It was a beautiful day, Neumann noted, and the weather didn’t seem to have been a factor. The National Weather Service said winds were light at the time, about 3 mph, and skies were mostly clear, with some high clouds.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the cause of the incident, Neumann said.
About noon, two Omaha police forensic investigators showed up and started placing yellow evidence markers on the runway and began looking in the nearby field. A flatbed trailer also drove in.
In April, the Omaha Police Department’s air support unit lost one of its three helicopters when it lost engine power midflight and the pilots had to make an emergency landing in a field. The landing caused the aircraft’s rotor blades to make contact with its tail, essentially totaling the helicopter, police said.
Neither of the pilots in that incident, Baughman and Dustin Hill, was injured.
With Friday’s crash, the department is down to one helicopter, but that one is undergoing maintenance, Neumann said.
Omaha police have talked with the Nebraska State Patrol about providing backup, he said.
The helicopter, known as Able-1, is a Bell 206 B III model, according to the OPDABLE1 Twitter account. AVBuyer.com, an aircraft sales website, shows similar models in the United States, Europe and Australia selling for anywhere from $320,000 to $779,000.
A 2009 World-Herald article noted that Omaha had acquired two Bell 206 B III helicopters for about $2.7 million on a lease-purchase arrangement.
City officials have been exploring the possibility of acquiring military surplus helicopters and said they might be able to get one for about $2 million.
Officials also were considering acquiring a helicopter through a 10-year lease-purchase agreement at about $800,000 a year.
Police Chief Todd Schmaderer told the City Council on Aug. 6 that he wanted to have an operational plan in place before he came and asked them for $3.25 million, which would be the cost of a helicopter.
Finance director Steve Curtiss hinted that the department and council might need to consider the evolution of technology toward drones. But Schmaderer said drones aren’t yet ready to help with police chases and other fast-moving operations.
The Omaha Police Department has six full-time pilots, plus a part-time one. It also has one mechanic, and was in the process of hiring another last year, according to World-Herald files.
Omaha police moved their helicopters to the Blair Airport last month. The department held a ribbon-cutting for a new air support hangar that underwent $1.2 million in renovations.
Police said last month that officials hoped to add a third helicopter back to its fleet and noted that the Blair hangar will allow the unit to expand to four or five helicopters at some point.
Last November, the City Council approved an agreement to house the city’s air support unit at that airport, ending a 22-year period at the North Omaha Airport.
World-Herald staff writers Erin Duffy and Aaron Sanderford contributed to this report.
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Feb 28. 1961: From left, Patrolman Andrew Davis, his K-9 Leo, Patrolman John Bober and his K-9 Foe.
Dec 1, 1961: From left, Patrolman Charles Adams, K-9 Waabi, Patrolman Francis Dolan and Inspector Alvin Clinchard are pictured after Waabi got loose after a car accident that ejected him and Adams. The dog was was located at 3224 Myrtle Ave. but growled at anyone who got near him. Officers on the scene had to get Adams from the hospital in order to bring the dog in.
April 16, 1961: From left, Omaha Police Chief C. Harold Ostler and Mrs. Frank Scholz watch as Patrolman Francis Dolan does a demonstration with his K-9 Rex. Scholz is the Women's Association of Allied Beverage Industries civil defense chairman. The group sponsored a different police dog, Waabi.
K-9 Hart finds sniffs out drugs hidden in the floor during a demonstration with handler Officer John Danderand in June 2013. The demonstration was part of the La Vista Police Department's Citizens Police Academy.
Sgt. Ed Van Buren takes his dog, Yoshi, out of his brand new kennel at the new Douglas County Sheriff's office crime lab on June 16, 2011. Before the new crime lab, dogs would have to stay with their handlers or be kenneled in alternate locations due to a lack of space.
Troy Boyle stands with his new K-9 partner, Dietz, on their second day of training in Bellevue in 2013. Boyle and Dietz were the department's newest K-9 handler and K-9.
The Omaha Police Department's first drug-sniffing dog, "Bush," was retired from duty on March 9, 1994, during ceremonies at Central Police Headquarters. Here, Maj. Brenda Smith pets Bush goodbye. The dog will become the family pet of his handler, Officer Steve Sanchelli, left.
From left, Jordyn, 11, Stacy and Madison Laue, 14, pet K-9 dog Tye at the Gary and Mary West Regional Canine Training Center in Omaha on June 9, 2014. The dog was named for Stacy's husband, Officer Jason Tye Pratt, who died in the line of duty in 2003.
Sgt. Steve Worley shows what K-9 dog Tye can do at the Gary and Mary West Regional Canine Training Center in Omaha on June 9, 2014. The dog was named for Officer Jason Tye Pratt, who died in the line of duty in 2003.
Law enforcement officials and a K-9 search for evidence near the intersection of 18th Street and Missouri Avenue while investigating a shooting on Oct. 22, 2010.
Law enforcement officials and a K-9 search for evidence near the intersection of 18th Street and Missouri Avenue while investigating a shooting on Oct. 22, 2010.
Sgt. Steve Worley, with the Omaha Police Department's K-9 unit, Justin Rutherford, a former Georgia police chief who is in rehabilitation following an accident, and Kinyarie Dethloff, who is the director of residential services at QLI, watch as Ty, a dog with the K-9 Unit, works during bite training at the OPD K-9 Training Center on April 22, 2015. Rutherford is doing his rehabilitation at QLI, a rehabilitation facility that treats people who have suffered a brain or spinal cord injury, or who have severe physical disabilities.
Omaha Police K-9 officer Matt Lippold, front, works his dog Blitz through some flowers while officer Matt Witkowski watches on May 3, 2000. The team was retracing steps in a foot pursuit and looking for evidence after a shooting at 90th and Fort.
Omaha Police Officer Dan Clark prepares to release his K-9 into a drainage culvert where the driver of a stolen pickup was believed to be hiding in 1999.
Trixie, a bomb dog handled by Omaha K-9 officer Chris Thompson, sits in an empty seat at Rosenblatt Stadium. Trixie, along with other police K-9s, sweep the stadium for public safety for the 2002 College World Series.
Omaha Police K-9 officer Chris Thompson along with his explosives detection K-9 Trixie do a sweep during College World Series practice on June 13, 2002 at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha.
Dec, 2, 2008: The Bellevue K-9 Unit has a new home base with an office and large area to use as a training facility. Here, Bellevue officer Dustin Franks leads Spike through training in the new facility.
Bellevue police officer Jim Bartley carries the cremated remains of his partner, Nero, to a memorial service at the Bellevue Cemetery on Nov. 28, 2001.
A police K-9 sports a black banded badge after fellow K-9 Nero died. The dog and officers were attending a memorial service at Bellevue Cemetery for Nero on Nov. 28, 2001.
Matt McKinney, left, and Josh Downs guide K-9 Harley through a biting exercise. McKinney was the handler for fallen K-9 Kobus, who was killed in January 2016.
Officer Matt McKinney hugs his daughter after speaking in memory of his dog, Omaha police K-9 Kobus, during a memorial service at Christ Community Church in January 2016.
Feb 28. 1961: From left, Patrolman Andrew Davis, his K-9 Leo, Patrolman John Bober and his K-9 Foe.
THE WORLD-HERALD
Patrolman John Bober and his K-9 Foe on March 8, 1961.
THE WORLD-HERALD
Patrolman John Bober and his K-9 Foe on March 8, 1961.
THE WORLD-HERALD
Dec 1, 1961: From left, Patrolman Charles Adams, K-9 Waabi, Patrolman Francis Dolan and Inspector Alvin Clinchard are pictured after Waabi got loose after a car accident that ejected him and Adams. The dog was was located at 3224 Myrtle Ave. but growled at anyone who got near him. Officers on the scene had to get Adams from the hospital in order to bring the dog in.
THE WORLD-HERALD
Patrolman Andrew Davis' K-9 Leo poses for a portrait with Davis' kids Karen, 8, Patty, 6 on March 16, 1961.
THE WORLD-HERALD
April 16, 1961: From left, Omaha Police Chief C. Harold Ostler and Mrs. Frank Scholz watch as Patrolman Francis Dolan does a demonstration with his K-9 Rex. Scholz is the Women's Association of Allied Beverage Industries civil defense chairman. The group sponsored a different police dog, Waabi.
THE WORLD-HERALD
Oct. 27, 1968: Patrolman Robert Chamberlain and his K-9 Al. Al was losing his eyesight and would not be able to continue his work.
THE WORLD-HERALD
K-9 Hart finds sniffs out drugs hidden in the floor during a demonstration with handler Officer John Danderand in June 2013. The demonstration was part of the La Vista Police Department's Citizens Police Academy.
KELSEY STEWART/WORLD-HERALD NEWS SERVICE
Sgt. Ed Van Buren takes his dog, Yoshi, out of his brand new kennel at the new Douglas County Sheriff's office crime lab on June 16, 2011. Before the new crime lab, dogs would have to stay with their handlers or be kenneled in alternate locations due to a lack of space.
DANIELLE BEEBE/THE WORLD-HERALD
Bellevue police officer Jim Bartley and his K-9 partner Harko participate in a drug raid in 2012.
MIKE BELL/WORLD-HERALD NEWS SERVICE
Troy Boyle stands with his new K-9 partner, Dietz, on their second day of training in Bellevue in 2013. Boyle and Dietz were the department's newest K-9 handler and K-9.
KELSEY STEWART/WORLD-HERALD NEWS SERVICE
Mills County K-9 officer Mike Kostroh with his dog Roscoe in 1998.
JEFF BUNDY/THE WORLD-HERALD
The Omaha Police Department's first drug-sniffing dog, "Bush," was retired from duty on March 9, 1994, during ceremonies at Central Police Headquarters. Here, Maj. Brenda Smith pets Bush goodbye. The dog will become the family pet of his handler, Officer Steve Sanchelli, left.
JEFF BEIERMANN/THE WORLD-HERALD
From left, Jordyn, 11, Stacy and Madison Laue, 14, pet K-9 dog Tye at the Gary and Mary West Regional Canine Training Center in Omaha on June 9, 2014. The dog was named for Stacy's husband, Officer Jason Tye Pratt, who died in the line of duty in 2003.
JULIA NAGY/THE WORLD-HERALD
Sgt. Steve Worley shows what K-9 dog Tye can do at the Gary and Mary West Regional Canine Training Center in Omaha on June 9, 2014. The dog was named for Officer Jason Tye Pratt, who died in the line of duty in 2003.
JULIA NAGY/THE WORLD-HERALD
Law enforcement officials and a K-9 search for evidence near the intersection of 18th Street and Missouri Avenue while investigating a shooting on Oct. 22, 2010.
ALYSSA SCHUKAR/THE WORLD-HERALD
Law enforcement officials and a K-9 search for evidence near the intersection of 18th Street and Missouri Avenue while investigating a shooting on Oct. 22, 2010.
ALYSSA SCHUKAR/THE WORLD-HERALD
Sgt. Steve Worley, with the Omaha Police Department's K-9 unit, Justin Rutherford, a former Georgia police chief who is in rehabilitation following an accident, and Kinyarie Dethloff, who is the director of residential services at QLI, watch as Ty, a dog with the K-9 Unit, works during bite training at the OPD K-9 Training Center on April 22, 2015. Rutherford is doing his rehabilitation at QLI, a rehabilitation facility that treats people who have suffered a brain or spinal cord injury, or who have severe physical disabilities.
RYAN SODERLIN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Omaha police look for a suspect in a shooting death near 55nd Street and Ames Avenue on Sept. 24, 2011.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Omaha Police K-9 Officer Aaron Hanson uses a hose to water his dog, Falco, near 31st and Laurel Avenues on July 9, 2012.
CHRIS MACHIAN, THE WORLD-HERALD
Omaha police and K-9 units from around the metro area look for suspects in a shooting near 42nd Street and Himebaugh Avenue in 2011.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Omaha police and K-9 units from around the metro area look for suspects in a shooting near 42nd Street and Himebaugh Avenue in 2011.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Omaha police and K-9 units from around the metro area look for suspects in a shooting near 42nd Street and Himebaugh Avenue in 2011.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Omaha police and K-9 units from around the metro area look for suspects in a shooting near 42nd Street and Himebaugh Avenue in 2011.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Omaha Police K-9 officer Matt Lippold, front, works his dog Blitz through some flowers while officer Matt Witkowski watches on May 3, 2000. The team was retracing steps in a foot pursuit and looking for evidence after a shooting at 90th and Fort.
JEFF BUNDY/THE WORLD-HERALD
Omaha Police Officer Dan Clark prepares to release his K-9 into a drainage culvert where the driver of a stolen pickup was believed to be hiding in 1999.
JEFF BUNDY/THE WORLD-HERALD
Trixie, a bomb dog handled by Omaha K-9 officer Chris Thompson, sits in an empty seat at Rosenblatt Stadium. Trixie, along with other police K-9s, sweep the stadium for public safety for the 2002 College World Series.
JEFF BUNDY/THE WORLD-HERALD
Omaha Police K-9 officer Chris Thompson along with his explosives detection K-9 Trixie do a sweep during College World Series practice on June 13, 2002 at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha.
JEFF BUNDY/THE WORLD-HERALD
Dec, 2, 2008: The Bellevue K-9 Unit has a new home base with an office and large area to use as a training facility. Here, Bellevue officer Dustin Franks leads Spike through training in the new facility.
KILEY CRUSE/THE WORLD-HERALD
Bellevue officer Joe Gray walks through the new training building with Rico in 2008.
KILEY CRUSE/THE WORLD-HERALD
Bellevue Officer Joe Gray praises Rico after he sniffed out hidden drugs during training in late 2008.
KILEY CRUSE/THE WORLD-HERALD
Bellevue police officer Jim Bartley carries the cremated remains of his partner, Nero, to a memorial service at the Bellevue Cemetery on Nov. 28, 2001.
KILEY CRUSE/THE WORLD-HERALD
Bellevue K-9 Officer Joe Milos is overcome with emotion as he talks about Nero's life during a memorial service at Bellevue Cemetery on Nov. 28, 2001.
KILEY CRUSE/THE WORLD-HERALD
K-9 Officer Jim Bartley carries the cremated ashes of Nero, his partner, to a podium for a memorial service at Bellevue Cemetery on Nov. 28, 2001.
KILEY CRUSE/THE WORLD-HERALD
A police K-9 sports a black banded badge after fellow K-9 Nero died. The dog and officers were attending a memorial service at Bellevue Cemetery for Nero on Nov. 28, 2001.
KILEY CRUSE, THE WORLD-HERALD
In this Nov. 19, 2013 photo, Omaha Officer Matt McKinney and his K-9 Kobus search for a shooting suspect near 46th Street and Ellison Ave.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Matt McKinney, left, and Josh Downs guide K-9 Harley through a biting exercise. McKinney was the handler for fallen K-9 Kobus, who was killed in January 2016.
BRENDAN SULLIVAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Officer Matt McKinney hugs his daughter after speaking in memory of his dog, Omaha police K-9 Kobus, during a memorial service at Christ Community Church in January 2016.
The Omaha police helicopter, Able-1, a Bell 206 B III, crash-landed at the Blair Airport on Friday. The two officers on board, Officer Matt Baughman, at left, and Brian Yaghoutfam, at right, both in flight suits, were on board when it crashed. Second from right is Omaha Deputy Police Chief Kerry Neumann.
Omaha police helicopter Able-1, a Bell 206 B III, crash-landed at the Blair Airport on Friday. The two officers on board suffered “very minor injuries,” an official said.
Omaha Police Officer Brian Yaghoutfam leaves the Blair Airport after the Omaha police helicopter lost power 40-50 feet off the ground and crash-landed.