California: Helicopter Crashes Following Failed Theft

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating a helicopter crash at a California airport on Wednesday, which resulted from an attempted theft.

Sacramento police and the FBI said the thief attempted to start four helicopters at Sacramento Executive Airport from 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. before successfully operating one, according to Fox News.

However, the Bell 429 helicopter eventually crashed at the airfield, ending the suspect's brief joyride. The helicopter was then discovered by authorities lying on its side, with its rotors and tail boom damaged.

The offender, who had not yet been identified, escaped the site before the police arrived. As of Thursday morning, there have been no reports of injuries or arrests.

FBI Special Agent in Charge of the Sacramento Field Office Sean Ragan told FOX40 Sacramento that they would be looking into the suspect's motive for trying to steal the chopper as part of their inquiry.

"At this point, we have no indication that there is terrorism involved or any terrorism motivation, but that is part of the ongoing investigation," Ragan noted.

Helicopter Crash Damaged Other Aircraft in California Airport

According to CBS News, Kevin Eakle, who works in the hangar next to the crash scene, said the helicopter crash also damaged several aircraft. Some planes had gaping holes because of the flying debris from the helicopter.

"It was very dramatic," Eakle said. "They're lucky they walked away and didn't kill anybody."

Capitol Helicopters owns the crashed helicopter, and according to the logs, it has been used for flights to Bay Area, Auburn, and Paso Robles airports in the previous week.

An airport break-in and police pursuit on the tarmac of Sacramento Executive Airport in 2021 prompted the airport to implement stricter security measures, such as 24-hour patrols.

Security procedures at general aviation airports are less stringent than those at commercial airports.

"The person that attempted to steal the helicopter did actually get it going," Ragan said.

Officials claimed that whoever attempted to steal the chopper had already made several unsuccessful attempts to enter other aircraft.

Aircraft Destruction Is a Federal Felony

According to PEOPLE, the destruction of an aircraft is a crime under federal law..Ragan noted that an individual of interest had been identified thanks to evidence obtained, witness information, and surveillance video.

The FBI is currently searching for the individual responsible for the helicopter crash in the California airport.

Ragan refused to comment about the person of interest or if it had ties to the airport or the Capitol Helicopters. The reason behind the helicopter theft remained unclear.

"If someone wanted to take an aircraft for a joyride, someone who wanted to take an aircraft to do some other criminal activity or damage to other property, terrorism would be at the other end of the scope," Ragan noted.

Early that morning, several helicopters operated by the company were vandalized by an unknown individual, according to Capitol Helicopters, adding that one was seriously damaged.

It also confirmed that its employees present during the helicopter crash in California airport are all safe. Several state and federal agencies are presently looking into this incident.

"We are hopeful that the people responsible are located quickly," they said.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are also investigating it.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Suspect Crashes Helicopter After Trying to Steal It From Sacramento Airport - From ABC7