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FAA looks into low-flying helicopter at Penn State tailgate

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Federal authorities are investigating a police helicopter's low flight over an unruly crowd of tailgaters in the stadium parking lot before the Penn State-Ohio State game in State College last weekend.

The Federal Aviation Administration said Tuesday it was looking into a complaint about the incident, in which the state police helicopter got so low it sent tents and other material flying from the rotors' downdraft.

RELATED: State police chopper stirs debris during Penn State crowd control

Pennsylvania State Police released a statement on Facebook Thursday in response to the FAA investigation.

The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) is aware of, and fully cooperating with, an FAA investigation into the incident involving a PSP helicopter in State College on September 29, 2018. Additionally, PSP is conducting an internal review of the incident. 

A helicopter from the PSP Aviation Section attempted to disperse a large, unruly crowd via loudspeaker after orders from troopers on the ground and the Tactical Mounted Section were ignored. There was no intent by the pilot or supervisors on the ground to disturb property, and the department regrets any damage caused as a result. 

Safety is the top priority of the Pennsylvania State Police Aviation Unit, which flew 1,841 missions in service to the commonwealth in 2017. The fleet is comprised of nine helicopters and five fixed-wing aircraft.

State police say the helicopter was called in after two police horses were punched and a trooper suffered a broken wrist.

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Video of the helicopter posted on social media shows stunned responses by people on the ground.

Police say the helicopter pilot was trying to get low enough so people could hear an order to disperse, and increased altitude after seeing debris go flying.

 

Associated Press

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