KINGMAN — Robert Skankey, a well-known Kingman-based pilot recognized for his service to the community, was killed Wednesday night when an Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) helicopter crashed in Flagstaff while responding to an active shooter incident. A state trooper-paramedic aboard the aircraft was also killed, DPS officials confirmed, marking a devastating loss for law enforcement and the Kingman community.
The crash involved a DPS Bell 407 helicopter, Ranger 56, which had been dispatched from Kingman to assist officers during an active shooter situation in Flagstaff. The aircraft went down around 10 p.m. on February 4 near the Railroad Springs and West Village neighborhoods. DPS confirmed two fatalities but did not immediately release the victims’ names. However, family, Marine Corps, and community sources later identified the pilot as Robert Skankey.
According to DPS officials, the helicopter crew was providing tactical air support as officers on the ground engaged an armed suspect. Law enforcement had confronted the shooter shortly before the crash. The suspect sustained non-fatal gunshot wounds and was taken into custody. Authorities confirmed that no other injuries were reported in connection with the crash or the shooting incident.
Residents in the area told local media they heard gunfire around 9 p.m., followed by the sound of the helicopter crashing later that night. The incident prompted a significant emergency response and left the Flagstaff and Kingman communities stunned. The exact circumstances that led to the helicopter’s crash have not yet been determined.
Arizona DPS Public Information Officer Bart Graves said the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation into the crash. DPS officials noted that the loss adds to the department’s solemn history of officers and personnel killed in the line of duty since its founding in 1969. Investigators will examine mechanical data, flight conditions, and other factors as part of the review.
Skankey was widely known in Kingman for his involvement in church activities, support of law enforcement, and work with the Young Marine program. The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office and Kingman Police Department released statements expressing deep condolences, calling the incident an “incredibly profound loss.” Community members continue to mourn Skankey and the fallen trooper-paramedic, remembering their dedication, service, and ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
