Police Aviation News November 2008
Police Aviation News November 2008
Police Aviation News November 2008
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<strong>Police</strong> <strong>Aviation</strong> <strong>News</strong> <strong>November</strong> <strong>2008</strong> 3<br />
UNITED STATES<br />
FEDERAL:: Last month a new Eurocopter AS350B3 A-Star helicopter N852BP was dedicated<br />
and placed into service with a seal that bears the name and call sign of Robert F.<br />
Smith, the Customs and Border Protection pilot who died in a helicopter crash in May last<br />
year. Smith's call-sign was X-Ray 8014. The seal will remain assigned to and displayed on<br />
this CBP aircraft for the entirety of its service.<br />
It is said that this is only the second time that such an honour has been bestowed by the<br />
agency.<br />
Smith's helicopter, N851BP, crashed during a routine operation May 22, 2007 near El Paso,<br />
Texas. A Border Patrol agent in the helicopter with Smith, Steven Takacs, 30, survived the<br />
crash.<br />
Although the current preliminary NTSB accident report does not mention these details, it is<br />
said that the honour was bestowed due to the manner of the crash.<br />
It is said that Smith was flying the mission when he spotted three illegal aliens crossing the<br />
border. He radioed the Border Patrol on the ground, and they arrested the three men. At<br />
that moment, an object hit the tail of his helicopter, and it began spinning out of control.<br />
He is said to have put his own life in peril avoiding children playing and finally setting the<br />
aircraft down on his side leaving his companion hanging in his straps. The passenger survived,<br />
but Bob, hitting first, was killed instantly.<br />
LOUISIANA: Concerns are being raised about the rising cost of travel in police helicopters<br />
being imposed on the budget by State Governor Bobby Jindal since he took office in<br />
January. In the first eight months of office – January to September 1 - Jindal spent nearly<br />
$180,000 in taxpayer money to travel in a pair of State <strong>Police</strong> Bell 430 helicopters. He uses<br />
the police helicopters for long distance travel within the state but airlines outside the sate.<br />
Although much of the travel has been in support of his political duties he has attended Sunday<br />
services numerous times in north Louisiana although these were not included on his
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