County Urged to Buy Repossessed Copter
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A committee charged with finding a replacement for the Sheriff’s Department helicopter that was destroyed last June is recommending Ventura County supervisors buy a repossessed craft at less than half the price.
Sheriff Larry Carpenter, who lost the Bell 206 L3 helicopter as it was dropping incendiary devices for a controlled burn in Cheeseboro Canyon, said he found a replacement craft for $429,000, including taxes.
The destroyed helicopter was valued at $1 million.
Delivering and equipping the helicopter, which serves the county’s aviation and search and rescue teams, will cost another $352,100, bringing the total replacement cost to $781,100, Carpenter said.
Supervisors are scheduled to discuss the purchase on Tuesday.
The Associated Aviation Underwriters insurance company paid Ventura County $950,000 for the helicopter that was destroyed June 30 while fire crews were conducting a controlled burn in the Santa Monica Mountains, said insurance manager Marian Scott.
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