‘I Believe They Collided’ : Transcript of Radio Traffic in Helicopter Crash

Here are excerpts of a transcript of the final 12 minutes of radio communications between police officers involved in the high-speed chase March 10 that resulted in a helicopter collision in Irvine in which three men died. Eagle is the radio designation for the Costa Mesa helicopter involved in the chase. Ocean is the designation for the Newport Beach helicopter. The dispatcher is at county communications, also called Control 1. Huntington Beach 1 is a police officer involved in the pursuit on the ground. Aboard Eagle were Costa Mesa Police Officers John William (Mike) Libolt and James David Ketchum, who was speaking on the radio, and civilian observer Jeffrey Pollard. All three died in the crash. Aboard Ocean were Newport Beach Police Officers Robert Oakley and Myles Elsing, both of whom survived. Costa Mesa police are referred to in radio communications with the number 44, Newport Beach with 43.

Eagle: Control 1, we’re on the pursuit. Through a red light at Anton, continuing northbound on Bristol, approaching Sunflower, green light. North of Sunflower, northbound Bristol. . . . Eagle to units: vehicle is still back there at the intersection. . . .

The ground units are unable to find the car Eagle was pursuing. The crew apparently had mistaken a Santa Ana detective’s car for the stolen Nissan Pulsar that was being pursued. Dispatcher: Eagle, be advised that you’re illuminating the investigative unit which began the pursuit.

Eagle: 10-4. Well, then we had the wrong vehicle from the start then. . . .

The stolen car is lost for about five minutes, then spotted again near MacArthur Boulevard and Main Street. The transcript picks up as Eagle has rejoined the pursuit on MacArthur. Eagle: 44 Eagle. We’re with the pursuit, and we do have the right car this time. . . . Vehicle is passing Campus, blacked out, still on MacArthur, southbound.

Dispatcher: Southbound MacArthur passing Campus.

Eagle: Still southbound, blowing a red light, almost TCed (almost had a traffic collision) and approaching Bristol.

Dispatcher: Approaching Bristol southbound MacArthur.

Eagle: Correction, make that Jamboree, approaching Jamboree. . . . Unit’s got cross traffic up ahead at Jamboree.

Dispatcher: Jamboree, has cross traffic.

Eagle: 44 Eagle to 43 Ocean, if you’re in the area, it’s entering your city, do you want to call it?

Ocean: 43 Ocean. Affirm.

Dispatcher: 43 Ocean to call the pursuit.

Ocean: Still southbound MacArthur approaching University.

Dispatcher: Continuing southbound MacArthur.

Ocean: Passing traffic at University, cross traffic now.

Dispatcher: Passing University.

Ocean: Continuing southbound past University.

Dispatcher: Southbound MacArthur passing University.

Ocean: Southbound approaching Bonita Canyon . . . through Bonita Canyon, negative, straight through Bonita Canyon.

Dispatcher: Passing Bonita Canyon, continuing southbound MacArthur.

There are no radio transmissions from the ground or either helicopter for the next 35 seconds. A Santa Ana police officer on the ground then radios in a description of the suspect: “It’s a male Hispanic, short black hair with a full mustache.” The dispatcher relays this information, and there follows a silence of about 15 seconds. Huntington Beach 1: HB 1 to Control 1?

Dispatcher: HB 1, go ahead.

Huntington Beach One: Did you have anymore contact with the helicopters?

Dispatcher: Unit 43 Ocean, what’s your status?

Huntington Beach 1: I believe they collided.

A Santa Ana police officer then informs the dispatcher that a Newport Beach police car has taken over the lead position in the chase. Costa Mesa Police Officer Rich Allum then establishes contact with the dispatcher. Allum: I was watching the pursuit from the freeway, and I saw a big blast of light in the sky and something burning falling in the area of the pursuit.

Huntington Beach 1: HB 1, you have no reaction from Eagle or Ocean?

Dispatcher: Eagle or Ocean, Control 1 . . . HB 1, be advised: We are checking on Eagle and Ocean.

Huntington Beach 1: I believe they confirmed that there is a fire back there. We have Angel (the Anaheim Police Department’s helicopter) that can check on it.