Amazing as it sounds, a helicopter landed on Fajada Butte in Chaco Canyon on June 13 - a completely unauthorized act on an important and protected historical site.
In John Sefick's video, Eleanor Bravo interviews G.B. Cornucopia, Chaco ranger, who saw the whole thing, and took photos and video.
I followed up with Chaco staff, and learned that the pilot was under contract with the BLM to fight fires in Wyoming. He was on his way there from Texas.
He says the brief landing on Fajada was because he had to complete a "pinnacle landing."
Fajada is a high butte, but not a pinnacle. Besides, it is a protected site in a national park and World Heritage site! I would expect that anyone would know this is not a place to land a helicopter on a whim, and without authorization.
The pilot is no doubt in deep trouble.
As G.B. says in the video interview, Chaco law enforcement was able to track him down shortly after the landing. He will be fined for landing without permission, and hopefully will be cited for ARPA (Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979) violation.
G.B. is trying to get him cited on additional penalties. Fajada Butte is the home of the Sun Dagger, an important astronomical site. Even Chaco staff have to jump through hoops to obtain access to Fajada or the Sun Dagger site.
The hope is that irreversible damage has not been done to any of the sites on top of Fajada by this senseless act.
I will keep you posted of any further developments.
Comments