by Jackie DelPilarSaturday, July 23rd 2016
YAKIMA, Wash. -- The Yakima Fire Department assisted with an emergency helicopter landing this week that almost ended in a crash.
A news release from the Yakima Fire Department says a helicopter from the King County Sheriff's office made an emergency landing after the chopper was damaged.
The helicopter was on a rescue mission over Mount Adams for a lost hiker.
The Airport Rescue Fire Fighting, or ARFF crew, along with YFD 94 and Battalion 91 responded to the airport to assist with the landing.
Firefighters say the landing skid and fuselage was damaged, making it impossible for the helicopter to land without support.
The helicopter hovered near the ground for crew members to jump out . The news release says crews then stacked more than a dozen pallets for the chopper to land on. Firefighters stood by in case of a crash, which fortunately did not happen.
The helicopter landed safely and was later taken back to King County for repairs.
