Embry-Riddle Professor Killed In Arizona Helicopter Crash

FORT MCDOWELL, AZ — An Army veteran and professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University was killed in a helicopter crash at Fort McDowell on Tuesday, officials said.

The FAA said a Bell 206B helicopter crashed under unknown circumstances shortly after 7 a.m. on Tuesday. The pilot, who was the only person on board, had taken off from Falcon Field in Mesa, according to the FAA.

In a statement, Embry-Riddle announced that Rucie Moore, a professor and helicopter program chair at the university died as a result of injuries sustained in the private helicopter crash.

"Our dear colleague, Rucie Moore, was an outstanding pilot, an Army veteran and distinguished faculty member with deep experience in the flight test arena," Dr. Frank Ayers, Chancellor of Embry-Riddle’s Prescott campus, said in a statement. "His many contributions to the education of our students, including his extensive real world experience, was immeasurable. The entire Embry-Riddle family, our faculty, students and staff, feel his loss and extend our thoughts and prayers to his family."

Moore had been a full-time faculty member at the Prescott campus for about a year. Before he became full-time faculty, he had served as an adjunct professor in Prescott and at the university's worldwide campuses.

Prior to joining the university, Moore was a helicopter test pilot for the U.S. Army.

The FAA and the NTSB will investigate the crash.