The Arizona National Guard is investigating an aircrew that flew a Black Hawk helicopter over an upscale neighborhood in Phoenix and dropped candy on the evening of Oct. 28, according to a statement issued Oct. 31.
The aircrew on the UH-60 Black Hawk took off from the Papago Military Reservation, near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on the south side of the city, for a training mission in Deer Valley, on the north side of Phoenix.
On the way, the Guard said, the helicopter flew over the Arcadianeighborhood in central Phoenix, near 36th Street and Camelback Road, and dropped the candy to a Halloween party.
The investigation involving crew members from the 2nd Battalion, 285th Aviation Regiment is expected to be completed in 30 to 60 days, Arizona National Guard spokesman Maj. Gabe Johnson told Army Times on Wednesday.
Four crew members have been suspended from flying duties, Johnson said.
The National Guard is not releasing the names of the crew pending completion of the investigation.
"The incident was not sanctioned by the Arizona National Guard and will be investigated further to ensure it does not occur again," said Army Brig. Gen. William Hall, land component commander. "The Arizona National Guard does not authorize nor condone the use of military aircraft or equipment for personal use."
In the meantime, officials have suspended the flight duties of those involved, according to the press release.
Residents in the neighborhood reported a chopper flying about 50 feet over their homes where it hovered for about three minutes, according to The Arizona Republic.
Concerned and curious residents in the area took to the neighborhood social-network site Nextdoor to ask questions and posit theories about the helicopter's activities.
One neighbor was concerned at first that it might be a drug drop.
"Somebody said that helicopter dropped some packages and go, oh my god, now what is this, some cartel?" said the neighbor, according to a report from KSAZ, a FOX affiliate in Phoenix.
One resident said the helicopter scared kids at a local soccer game at Biltmore Preparatory Academy.
But one neighbor posted that the helicopter had dropped candy to children at a Halloween party in the area.
— Kathleen Curthoys contributed to this report.
