The NTSB is sending investigators to Atlanta to probe the cause of the Saturday crash of a police helicopter that killed two officers. Pilot Richard J. Halford, 48, and tactical officer Shawn A. Smiley, 40, were taking part in the search for a missing nine-year-old boy when, according to witness reports, the helicopter descended onto power lines and crashed on a normally busy street that was free of cars at the time. The boy was found a short time later and the crash knocked out power in the immediate area.
Last week the FAA issued a statement after four fatal helicopter accidents occurred in a two-week period. The FAA's International Helicopter Safety Team is trying to cut the number of helicopter accidents through its education program.
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