HOUSTON – The National Transportation Safety Board has released a preliminary report about the crash of a Houston Police Department helicopter that killed one officer and injured another.
The two-page report published Thursday shed little light on what may have caused the police helicopter to crash into an apartment complex clubhouse near the Greenspoint neighborhood just after 2 a.m. Saturday. Officer Jason Knox was killed in the crash. Officer Chase Cormier, the pilot, was injured.
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Federal investigators said it was a Texas Department of Public Safety helicopter crew that informed authorities that the police helicopter had crashed after air traffic controllers reported losing radar contact with the chopper.
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It was noted that the HPD helicopter was equipped with an augmented-reality mapping system, which will be reviewed in order to determine if it contains pertinent information about the crash.
Investigators also said that video from a witness showed the helicopter rotated in the air before falling to the ground.
Visitation for Knox happens between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Friday at Houston’s First Baptist Church at 7401 Katy Freeway. His funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church.
Cormier has undergone surgery and has a long road to recovery, according to officials.