Saturday, November 05, 2011

Two on board crashed helicopter suffered minor injuries in West Palm Beach

Photo by Angie Szuminski

WEST PALM BEACH — Two persons aboard a helicopter that crashed this afternoon near downtown suffered minor injuries, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

The R-22 helicopter went down at 4:22 p.m. after an engine apparently failed, said FAA spokeswoman Holly Baker.

No one on the ground was injured, she said.

The helicopter had taken off from a general aviation airport in northern Palm Beach County.

The pilot was able to speak to fire-rescue units at the scene, said city spokesman Chase Scott.

The aircraft struck a house, a car, trees and powerlines, Baker said.

Residents of the neighborhood said the helicopter landed between a house and a car.

Racquel Abelha, 27, of Palm Beach Gardens, was visiting her mother when they heard the sound of a helicopter and then heard it hit the ground.

"It wasn't anything explosive," she said. "It just seems like it fell."

The people on board were not seriously injured, she said.

"Everyone walked away." she said. "They were perfectly fine."

The FAA is en route to the scene, Baker said.

Original article and photo:

http://www.palmbeachpost.com

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