2 killed in midair plane and helicopter crash at Chandler airport
Oct 2, 2021, 9:30 AM | Updated: 9:52 am
(Facebook Photo/Chandler Municipal Airport)
(Facebook Photo/Chandler Municipal Airport)
PHOENIX – Authorities said two people were killed when a small plane and a helicopter crashed in the air above Chandler Municipal Airport on Friday.
The aircrafts went down near McQueen and Queen Creek roads shortly after 7:30 a.m.
The Federal Aviation Administration said in a press release the helicopter hit the ground while the single-engine plane landed safely despite damage to its landing gear.
There were two people aboard each aircraft, the federal agency said.
A Chandler Police Department spokesman said the helicopter was operated by Quantum Helicopters and the plane by Flight Operations Academy. Both companies are flight schools.
The brother of Michael Papendick confirmed his passing on a Facebook post Friday, also sharing a GoFundMe page that will support Papendick’s wife and 11-month-old daughter.
The identity of the other person killed is unknown at this time.
An investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board was underway at the airport, which is close to the Loop 202 Santan Freeway.
“It would help us tremendously and NTSB … if anybody who possibly witnessed or caught this incident on camera, to please contact the Chandler Police Department at 480-782-4130,” Sgt. Jason McClimans told KTAR News 92.3 FM.
KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Taylor Kinnerup contributed to this report.
