US Park Police: Aviation Unit
Summary
The US Park Police has jurisdiction over many parts of DC and its aviation unit provides both a police as well as a search and rescue capability for the district as well as the surrounding areas.
Aircraft Type
- Bell 412EP Aircraft Count as of 2021 GAO report: 2
- Bell 206L3 Aircraft count as of 2021 GAO report: 1
FAA Registry Number
- N11PP
- N22PP
Trackable on Flightradar24 App?
- Yes - Website Link, Link)
Details
The Aviation Unit of the US Park Police plays a role to many law enforcement and first responder roles due in large part to the overlapping jurisdictions of downtown DC. Much of the federal property in the area is managed by the National Park Service, justifying the active participation of the Park Police in a wide range of nearby emergencies.
The unit also provides overhead reconnaissance ahead of the President’s motorcade.
Viewing Tips
The unit flies out of a heliport in Anacostia Park known as the Eagle’s Nest (map). It is often patroling around the National Mall, downtown DC, or over Capitol Hill.
Notable Incidents
This unit has participated in numerous rescue and law enforcement encounters, but perhaps one of the most dramatic was in the aftermath of the 1982 crash of Air Florida Flight 90. The passenger airplane stalled and crashed shortly after takeoff from the National Airport, landing moments later in the frozen Potomac River. A confluence of tragic coincidences resulted a Park Police helicopter and nearby motorists being the source of rescue for the five survivors of the crash.
The unit also participated in a controversial and arguably dangerous police action in February, 2019 when it hovered very low off of the ground to throw up snow and scare off people who were ice skating on the frozen reflecting pool on the National Mall.
Radio Callsign
Eagle
Photos
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Links
- Park Police in 2021 GAO Washington, D.C. Area Helicopter Noise Report
- National Park Service - Aviation Unit
- Wikipedia - United States Park Police: Aviation
- National Parks Traveler - Elite National Park Service Helicopter Unit Marks Forty Years Of Service
- Fire Aviation - National Park Service helicopters played vital role on 9/11
- Video - Documentary Footage and a description of the 1982 rescue - Part 3 - 4:55
- Video - Documentary Footage and a description of the 1982 rescue - Part 4
