The video of a helicopter attempting to land in a Burnsville, North Carolina, parking lot used to store supplies for victims of Hurricane Helene has sparked controversy online, with many claiming that it shows an unidentified government aircraft sent to destroy the aid. These allegations have fueled misinformation narratives following the destructive Category 4 storm, as federal, state, and local governments work to provide relief to the affected areas. However, the North Carolina National Guard confirmed that it was one of their helicopters attempting to deliver a generator to power the supply distribution site.
The helicopter descended into the Burnsville parking lot, causing debris and supplies at the site to be kicked up and canopies to be toppled. The landing was aborted for safety reasons, and the helicopter’s crew has been grounded pending an investigation into the incident. Maj. Gen. Todd Hunt, adjutant general of the North Carolina National Guard, took responsibility for the incident during a news conference and explained that the rotor wash caused the damage as the helicopter attempted to take off due to safety concerns regarding the number of people and tents near the landing site.
The video was initially shared on TikTok by Megan George, a dog trainer and Coast Guard veteran who was setting up a K9 command post in the area. While George did not intend for the video to imply government maleficence, the caption accompanying the video raised questions about the helicopter’s actions and the possibility of malicious intent. Despite acknowledging that the helicopter’s behavior could have been an error, George expressed uncertainty about any deliberate wrongdoing. However, other social media users made specific claims attributing the incident to “Masked FEDS” and suggesting that the government was declaring war on the American people.
The video captured the attention of thousands of viewers, prompting various theories and speculations about the helicopter’s identity and intentions. Some posts linked the aircraft to Vice President Kamala Harris and accused her of orchestrating the destruction of aid meant for Hurricane Helene victims. Hunt’s comments and the Guard’s statement clarified the incident involving a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, validating the information shared on social media. The distribution site was cleaned up within two hours of the incident, and operations were back to normal on Thursday.
Local officials did not provide comments on the incident, and requests for their input remained unanswered. Hurricane Helene, which made landfall on September 26 with winds of 140 mph, caused extensive damage and casualties in the affected areas. Recovery efforts were ongoing in the aftermath of Helene, while another major storm, Hurricane Milton, hit Florida on Wednesday night. The incident involving the helicopter in Burnsville highlights the challenges faced by authorities and relief organizations in coordinating disaster response efforts during a time of crisis.
