ROANOKE TIMES 

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, October 8, 1993                   TAG: 9310080131
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-2   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: FAIRFAX                                LENGTH: Short

BOARD SAYS CRASHED CHOPPER UNNECESSARY

Fairfax County police say replacing a helicopter that crashed because of pilot error is vital, but some Board of Supervisors members are calling the $1.5 million craft an unaffordable luxury.

The 2-year-old Bell 204L3 long-range helicopter crashed on takeoff on Aug. 24 because its crew failed to notice the craft was tethered to a battery unit on the ground.

The pilot and first officer have been "severely disciplined" but are still flying for the department, police said. The helicopter was one of three the department owns.

Insurance will cover about $900,000 of the helicopter's $1.5 million replacement cost, police said. The department plans to make up the difference with assets seized in drug cases. - Associated Press 


 by CNB