Cop who fell from NYPD helicopter in Queens training exercise released from hospital
An NYPD detective who fell from a hovering helicopter during a training exercise was released from the hospital as the department continues its probe into the incident, police said Saturday.
Dozens of cops lined up outside Jacobi Hospital in the Bronx Friday to applaud Detective Michael Black’s recovery from injuries he suffered during the botched training exercise at the NYPD Police Academy in Queens.
The Emergency Services Unit cop was supposed to rappel down a rope hanging from the chopper as it hovered over the College Point training facility about 12:15 p.m. on Dec. 1.
But didn’t stay attached to the helicopter, video of the incident seen by the Daily News shows.
The video shows the rope hanging from the helicopter as it hovered over a grassy field. Black — who joined the department in 2005 — grabbed hold of it, ready to descend.
But the rope became unmoored from the helicopter, and Black fell to the ground with the rope still in hand.
Nearby officers ran to the injured detective’s aid as he laid in the grass. The helicopter touched down moments later, the video shows.
Black was airlifted to Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx. His leg broke in two places, a police source with knowledge of the case said.
The detective was hospitalized for eight days before he was sent home. His left leg appeared bandaged below the knee under his blue sweatpants as he smiled and waved at well-wishers, a video of his release shows.
“During a recent training exercise, one of our Emergency Service Unit Detectives was severely injured,” Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell tweeted. “Today, he left Jacobi Hospital surrounded by his fellow Finest. On behalf of the entire NYPD, we wish him a speedy & full recovery!”
The investigation into Black’s fall continues, an NYPD spokeswoman said.
Either the rope was not properly rigged or “the rope attachment point could have failed,” a police source told The News. The person in charge of rappelling operations overseeing the exercise was also new to the position, the source added.
