The King County Sheriff’s Office Guardian One helicopter was damaged Friday while preparing for takeoff at Renton Municipal Airport in response to a call for a burglary in progress.
Just before 10:30 a.m. crews began to prepare the aircraft for takeoff when the helicopter fell off its mobile landing pad and the tail rotor made contact with the ground. No one was injured during the incident; however, the aircraft was taken out of service.
The King County Sheriff’s Office does not know when the aircraft will return to service and does not yet have an estimate on the cost of repairs, said Sgt. Cindi West.
In the meantime, a backup helicopter is available.
“We are still fully functional,” West said.
The damaged helicopter has been in service for four years.
