LAPD Air Support

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Rest In Peace, you will Never be forgotten. NORMAN D. PIEPENBRINK... Sergeant Norman Piepenbrink was killed in a helicopter accident while working as an observer with Pilot Willard J. Lehmanon. The officers were conducting freeway traffic patrol in a Bell 47J helicopter. Sergeant Piepenbrink, the officer-in-charge of the Air Support Division, departed and another officer who was piloting the helicopter had departed from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department helipad at the Biscailuz Center in East Los Angeles. Immediately after departure, the aircrew overheard three loud, distinct thumps. The helicopter subsequently crashed, badly burning Sergeant Piepenbrink and the pilot. An investigation revealed that the six rotor driving flange screws in the main rotor transmission had failed. This failure allowed the transmission rotor driving flange to become uncoupled from the transmission upper spider, causing a complete loss of engine torque to the main rotor. The six screws fractured from a static shear overload, resulting in a forced landing on unsuitable terrain. The aircraft was destroyed. Sergeant Piepenbrink succumbed to his injuries three days later. Despite being badly burned, the pilot survived the crash. Sergeant Piepenbrink had served with the agency for 18 years. He was survived by his wife and two sons. BIO Age 39 Tour 18 years Badge 6090 INCIDENT DETAILS Cause Aircraft accident Incident Date Friday, November 27, 1964

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We Will Never Forget- RIP Brothers... LAPD Copter Team Mourned as Heroes June 21th, 1991...Continue reading

Heading out to Chino for the weekend https://planesoffame.org

Planes of fame 2019! May 4th & 5th http://warbirdsnews.com//planes-of-fame-air-show-may-4-5-2

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Thank you LAPD Reserves

LAPD 150th Anniversary

Spring forward March 10th

36 years ago today Reserve Officer Stuart S. Taira Los Angeles Police Department, California End of Watch: Tuesday, March 1, 1983... STUART S. TAIRA Reserve Officer Stuart Taira was killed as a result of a police helicopter crash. Reserve Officer Taira, a reserve photographer for the Air Support Unit, and two other officers were conducting aerial patrols following a tornado. Reserve Officer Taira was assigned to photograph the after effects of a tornado. In between patrols the officers were dispatched to investigate a report of a burglar on a roof. As the helicopter took off it struck an unseen power line, causing it to crash. The officers (Sergeant Ronnie Hansen, pilot, and Tom Brooks, observer) survived the initial impact and Reserve Officer Taira was able to exit the aircraft. Reserve Officer Taira then returned to the aircraft in an attempt to rescue his two partners. One of the helicopter's rotors struck Reserve Officer Taira in the head, killing him. Reserve Officer Taira was posthumously awarded the department's Medal of Valor. He had served three years with the agency and was survived by his parents, two sisters, and two brothers. BIO Age: 28 Tour: 3 years Badge: R1019 See more

Welcome to the LAPD family these helicopters are an invaluable tool that help keep both officers and the community safe. This newest addition was made possible due to our Los Angeles City Councilmembers because working together is how we make things happen.