Jeff Steele, 48, and Marc Hansen, 59, killed in helicopter crash near Benson, Arizona

Modified Date:

Wed, 04/08/2015 - 3:29pm

Accident Date:

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Cochise County Sheriff's Office: 2 dead after CCSO helicopter crashes near Benson

CCSO said it will hold a press conference on Thursday, Jan. 1 at 5 p.m.

2 killed in Cochise Co. helicopter crash on New Year's Eve

In a news release Sheriff Mark Dannels said "This news leaves me personally and this organization with a heavy heart because of the tragic loss of two incredible lives. We have worked closely with this company and these two individuals since receiving Cochise Air and knowing that they are considered part of the Sheriff's Office family makes this so much harder. We send our condolences out to the families of two people who will truly be missed."

2 killed in Ariz. sheriffs office helicopter crash

The debris field was discovered near Benson in southern Arizona, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Retired Glendale officer, mechanic dead in Arizona helicopter crash

A retired Glendale police officer and a mechanic for a Glendale aviation company were killed Wednesday afternoon in a helicopter crash near Benson in southern Arizona, Cochise County Sheriff's Office officials said Thursday.

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A Cochise County Sheriff's Office helicopter crashed Wednesday night, killing both the pilot and mechanic on board. Their identities have yet to be released. The helicopter was returning to Sierra Vista Airport from Phoenix, where it had some routine maintenance done. The Benson Fire Department located the wreckage around 9:20 p.m. and confirmed two people were deceased. The helicopter is leased through a company by CCSO and used for law enforcement and public safety work. That company reported to the Sheriff’s office that it had lost contact with the helicopter around 7 p.m. The National Transportation and Safety Board will conduct an investigation.

Type: Aircraft Accident

Topics:

Helicopter Accident

People Involved:

Jeff Steele

Marc Hansen

City:

Benson, AZ

County:

Cochise County, AZ

Area:

Tucson, AZ