A U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Maritime Operations (AMO) helicopter pilot team landed an A-Star aircraft on the Mexican border in South Texas. The pilot and Border Patrol agent then flew back across the Rio Grande River to Texas before undergoing medical examinations.
An AMO helicopter made an emergency landing Thursday afternoon near Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, just across the Rio Grande. A CBP official, who said he was aware of the incident but was not authorized to speak to the media, said the aircraft “made a hard landing.” The crew, consisting of the AMO pilot and a supervising Border Patrol agent, managed to cross the river that separates Texas from Mexico before calling for medical assistance.
The crew of another AMO helicopter provided air cover while the crew of the crashed aircraft returned to Texas from Mexico. The aircraft may have drifted into Mexico during an autorotation maneuver.
A CBP AMO agent/pilot receives medical treatment after returning to Texas from Mexico. (Law enforcement sources)
A statement received by Breitbart Texas from a CBP official reads:
CBP is aware of a situation in which an Air and Maritime Combat aircraft made an emergency landing near Laredo, Texas during a routine operation. All CBP employees are accounted for and accounted for. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.
GPS location of the accident scene (a law enforcement source)
Sources told Breitbart Texas that the pilot performed an “autorotation” maneuver after losing power, which resulted in the plane making a hard landing in a wooded area near the Rio Grande River.
A CBP AMO A Star helicopter hovers above the treetops of South Texas, searching a ranch where migrants are staying. (File: Bob Price/Breitbart Texas)
Editor’s note: This is a developing story and may be updated as additional information becomes available.
Randy Clark Randy Clark is a 32-year veteran of the U.S. Border Patrol. Prior to his retirement, he served as Chief of the Law Enforcement Operations Division, where he led operations for nine Border Patrol stations in the Del Rio Sector, Texas. Follow him on Twitter: @RandyClarkBBTX.
Bob Price Price is deputy editor and senior news contributor for Breitbart Texas Border Team. He is an original member of the Breitbart Texas team. Price is a reporter for Fox 26 Houston. What is your argument? Sunday Morning He also serves as chairman of the talk show. Blue Wonder Cancer Care Products.
Ildefonso Ortiz contributed to this report.
