Bell’s Customer Service Engineer, Edward Mooney, happened to be backpacking Arizona’s highest point, Humphrey’s Peak located in Northern Arizona, and during his descent he came across an injured hiker who was unable to walk. Coordinating with the Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue and the local sheriff’s department, Edward waited by the side of the woman as they sent a Bell 429 to the rescue.

Managing difficult terrain and incoming thunderstorms and gusty winds, Edward and other rescue members stayed with the injured hiker until the weather subsided enough for the Air Rescue helicopter was able to safely retrieve her. The helicopter returned and conducted a 14,000+ density altitude hoist operation and raised her in the air to safety and transported her to Flagstaff medical hospital. This rescue has now been recorded in history as the highest hoist rescue ever recorded in Arizona, representing the dedication of the Arizona Department of Public Safety and their confidence of the capabilities of the Bell 429.

“As a customer service engineer, I work directly with customers to keep them operational and navigate any maintenance or aircraft needs they may have,” said Mooney. “I know the amazing missions they complete, but unexpectedly seeing a customer rescue operation further reminds me why we do what we do.”

Thank you to our team and our customers for continuously serving the public and saving lives. Bell always strives to impact the world for the better and we can’t do it without our selfless team members and parapublic customers.