Army investigation explains intentional fuel release over Phoenix and Tempe

A U.S. Army safety investigation has detailed why a grounded MH-60M Black Hawk intentionally released fuel over populated areas of Phoenix and Tempe before landing at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on Feb. 5, 2026.

The investigation found that crews skipped or accelerated required procedures, failed to recognize that the helicopter was over populated areas and placed civilians at risk. The findings were reported by KJZZ on July 31.

What happened over Phoenix and Tempe

The Army MH-60M Black Hawk, operated by the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, departed from the Papago Park Arizona National Guard base in Tempe and landed at Sky Harbor about 10 minutes later.

Phoenix and Tempe fire crews responded to reports of a low-flying helicopter releasing fuel near Priest Drive and 10th Street and near Sixth Street and Wilson Street. Responders found dry petroleum residue on nearby vehicles, according to local response records described in KJZZ’s reporting.

The Army investigation also said one resident self-transported to a hospital after the incident. That finding does not establish broader injuries or long-term health effects.

Why the helicopter released fuel

The helicopter had been grounded because of maintenance issues and needed to be transported to Tacoma, Washington, for repairs. The Army had considered moving it by truck, but that option could take up to three weeks.

An available Air Force C-17 created a faster opportunity to move the aircraft. The C-17 was available on Feb. 6, creating a tight deadline for getting the helicopter to Sky Harbor. The aircraft was too heavy to load with fuel aboard, and neither Papago Park nor Sky Harbor had the equipment needed to defuel it.

Army personnel therefore planned a short flight from Tempe to Sky Harbor while releasing fuel to reduce the helicopter’s weight. The investigation describes the release as intentional rather than simply the result of a leaking tank.

What investigators found went wrong

Investigators said crews skipped or accelerated necessary steps because of time constraints. The crew believed it had enough altitude to avoid negative effects from the fuel release, but could not recall the altitude and did not realize the flight was over populated areas.

The report said there was no precedent that would make a low-altitude fuel release over a populated area acceptable and concluded that the action placed civilians in harm’s way. Those are the investigation’s findings and conclusions, not a court judgment or criminal finding.

What remains undisclosed

The report redacts both the amount of fuel released and the altitude at which it was released. The available records therefore do not support a precise estimate of the quantity that reached the ground or the full geographic extent of the residue.

People seeking compensation for documented effects can contact the Army’s Fort Huachuca Claims Office at 520-533-2212, according to KJZZ. The sources reviewed for this article do not establish penalties, discipline, lawsuits, long-term environmental contamination or long-term health effects.

Sources

• U.S. Army AR 15-6 safety investigation report
• KJZZ: Army report details why a Black Hawk helicopter intentionally dumped fuel on Phoenix, Tempe