The survivor of a sheriff's helicopter crash told dispatchers he was afraid the downed aircraft would slide off a cliff, according to 911 recordings released Wednesday.
The helicopter crashed into the side of a mountain near Picture Rocks Monday, killing the pilot.
Only a tree kept the badly mangled helicopter from tumbling down the mountain, according to the 911 call.
Edwin Nettleton, one of three crash survivors, made the 911 call on his cell phone from the back seat of the Pima County sheriff's helicopter. Just moments before the call, the aircraft crashed into the Waterman Mountains.
Nettleton told the 911 dispatcher he was concerned that if help didn't arrive soon, the helicopter would eventually fall over the cliff's edge.
"I think we should stay put so the copter is stable," he said. "I'm concerned if I try to climb out, I'll tip the copter over the side."
The helicopter slid about 100-150 feet after it crashed, he said during the call.
He also told the dispatcher he was concerned about the potential for a fire since there was smoke rising from the helicopter.
Nettleton remained calm throughout the conversation, identifying himself as a radio engineer who was looking at radio sites with the other passengers. He could be heard talking to fellow passenger Larry Sayers during the conversation with the dispatcher.
He told authorities two people, including him, were in the helicopter after the crash, and the other two passengers were outside of the aircraft.
Nettleton used the pilot's GPS to give dispatchers the exact location of the crash.
Loren Leonberger, 60, a civilian pilot for the Sheriff's Department, died in the crash.
Nettleton, 58, Paul Panzica, 41, and Sayers, 64, survived.
Panzica and Nettleton were released from University Medical Center after the crash, while Sayers remained in serious condition.
Nettleton, who lives out of state, told the dispatcher that his wrist was broken during the crash.
The four men were aboard the helicopter scouting in the Ironwood Forest National Monument area for possible locations for radio communications towers when the aircraft crashed at about 11:30 a.m.
Contact reporter Jamar Younger at jyounger@azstarnet.com or call 573-4115.
