Cedar City, United States: A training helicopter operated by the aviation program of Southern Utah University crashed at Cedar City Regional Airport on Saturday morning, leaving a pilot and a student pilot injured and prompting a federal investigation into the accident.
According to authorities, the crash occurred on May 23, 2026, at Cedar City Airport in Iron County, Utah. Officers from the Cedar City Police Department responded to the scene after receiving reports of an accident involving an SUU helicopter used for flight training operations.
Police said two people were onboard the aircraft at the time of the accident, a pilot instructor and a student pilot. Both occupants survived the crash and were transported to Cedar City Hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening.
Officials confirmed the helicopter sustained significant damage during the accident. However, no additional injuries were reported on the ground and no other property was damaged.
Authorities have not yet publicly identified the helicopter type, registration number, flight phase, or the exact cause of the crash.
“We are aware of the accident involving an SUU helicopter at the Cedar City Airport this morning,” SUU public relations director Brooke Heath said in a brief written statement. “The safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our top priority, and we are working closely with the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) and FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) to investigate the incident,” Heath’s statement concluded.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched an investigation into the incident. Federal investigators are expected to examine operational records, maintenance history, weather conditions, pilot training procedures, and wreckage evidence to determine the cause of the crash.
Southern Utah University operates one of the largest collegiate helicopter training fleets in the United States through its aviation division based in Cedar City. The university’s rotorcraft training program uses helicopters for commercial pilot, instructor, mountain flying, and emergency procedure training.
Cedar City Regional Airport, located about two miles northwest of Cedar City, is a major hub for flight training activity in southern Utah and hosts both fixed-wing and rotorcraft operations.
As of now, officials have not released additional details regarding the sequence of events leading to the crash, and the investigation remains ongoing.
