LOS ANGELES - NOV 13th
KCAL ASTAR DOWN
A Los Angeles news helicopter had to make an emergency landing in Pacoima Friday.
The helicopter suffered engine failure shortly after takeoff from Whiteman Airport.
The aircraft, which was headed to a news story in Van Nuys, barely made it over a fence while returning to the airport.
The chopper landed safely around 8 a.m. The pilot and a cameraman escaped unharmed, according to fire officials.
During the hard landing, the tail section of the chopper struck the runway and broke off. The tail portion was seen resting several feet away from the aircraft.
The helicopter services KCAL-TV.
Los Angeles based KCAL TV news helicopter has been damaged in an emergency landing but the pilot and cameraman are uninjured.
Sister stations KCAL9 and CBS2 report that an engine failure forced the crash landing at about 8 a.m. yesterday morning at Whiteman Airpark in the San Fernando Valley.
Pilot Derek Bell says that the Eurocopter engine failed requiring him to initiate an autorotation. The helicopter's tail struck the ground and broke off at the end of the autorotation but the craft landed upright on its skids.
Video here:
News Helicopter Down: Los Angeles News Station Helicopter Makes Emergency Landing in Pacoima - ktla.com