Update #2, 09/25/2017: Gwinnett County Police are identifying the pilots involved in the September 1^st crash as Officer George McLain, 38 and Corporal Michael Duncan, 46. Officer McLain was in command of the aircraft. He was hired January 2016 and is a member of the Georgia Air National Guard. Corporal Duncan was hired February 2005 and is a veteran of the Marine Corps. The FAA investigation is still pending.

Following surgery, Officer McLain was discharged from the hospital several days after the crash. He is still recovering from his injuries. Following surgery, Corporal Duncan was recently transferred to the Shepherd Spinal Center in Atlanta. He is currently paralyzed from the waist down. He is still having pain but is improving each day. He is working hard with the staff at Shepherd Spinal Center to get back to being as independent as possible. 

The Gwinnett County Police Foundation will host a Golf Tournament on October 2nd at Chateau Elan. Proceeds from the tournament will be donated to Corporal Duncan. It is anticipated that his home will need to be modified to accommodate wheel chair access. For information about the event and to donate visit http://gwinnettpolicefoundation.com/. The Gwinnett County Police Department is a strong family and we will continue to support the recovery of both injured pilots.

Update #1, 09/01/2017: Though there is no new update on the officer’s conditions, their injuries are non-life threatening.  They were both taken to Gwinnett Medical Center Lawrenceville to be treated for their injuries.  Their names are being withheld at this time. 

Prior to the crash, the two officers/pilots were assisting East Precinct Officers at the scene of a Wanted Person Located call on Mitford Court in Dacula. 

The helicopter suffered significant damage.  It’s unclear if the aircraft can be repaired.  At this time, it is unknown how far off the ground the helicopter was before it crashed.  The FAA is the lead agency in the cause of this aviation crash.  More specific information regarding the logistics will need to be obtained from their agency. 

Click here to access photos and videos from the scene.

Original, 09/01/2017: (Lawrenceville, Georgia) The Gwinnett County Police Department is currently investigating a crash involving one of its helicopters. The helicopter was spotted going down at Briscoe Field near the GCPD Aviation Hangar around 10:58am. Witnesses from the Control Tower called 911 and reported the incident. The helicopter had been assisting uniform patrol officers involved in a chase with a wanted suspect when the weather turned unfavorable. The helicopter was headed back to the GCPD Aviation Hangar.  The Gwinnett County Police Department in conjunction with Gwinnett County Fire and Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene. There were two officers/ pilots on board at the time of the crash. The first officer was able to exit the helicopter. The second officer was trapped and was extricated by Gwinnett County Fire. Both officers were transported to Gwinnett Medical Center –Lawrenceville to be treated for injuries. The extent of the injuries are unknown at this time, but are non –life threatening. The families of the officers have been notified.

The Chief of Police and his command staff are on scene. The FAA has been dispatched from Atlanta to investigate the cause of the crash. The Gwinnett County Police Department has two helicopters in its fleet.