Tour Helicopter Hits Eagle, Makes Forced Landing

A tour helicopter en route to the Grand Canyon made an emergency landing at the Pearce Ferry airstrip on the afternoon of September 27th after being struck by a golden eagle with an eight-foot wing span. The eagle hit and went through the windshield on the passenger side, striking the middle rear passenger, a 64-year-old woman. She sustained some trauma to her face and head and was flown via Mercy Air Ambulance to the UMC trauma center. The pilot and two other passengers were also reportedly injured, but refused medical treatment. The Grapevine Mesa Fire Department coordinated emergency care. Rangers from the Mohave District are investigating.