Time Out
16th Dec 2003, 08:00
REDLANDS, Calif. - A helicopter pilot was killed Monday morning when his aircraft crashed in an agricultural area shortly after lifting off from San Bernardino International Airport, police said.
The name of the 37-year-old pilot, who has been living in the United States for about a week, was not immediately released because family members in Japan had not been notified, said Redlands police officer Rodney Walters.
The pilot was flying a Robinson R22 helicopter to the French Valley area near Temecula on a routine flight, Walters said. No one else was on board the two-seat aircraft.
The official cause of the crash was still under investigation.
Witnesses said the helicopter had mechanical problems before crashing.
"They heard it sputtering, then fall to the ground," Walters said.
source (http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/7499026.htm)
The name of the 37-year-old pilot, who has been living in the United States for about a week, was not immediately released because family members in Japan had not been notified, said Redlands police officer Rodney Walters.
The pilot was flying a Robinson R22 helicopter to the French Valley area near Temecula on a routine flight, Walters said. No one else was on board the two-seat aircraft.
The official cause of the crash was still under investigation.
Witnesses said the helicopter had mechanical problems before crashing.
"They heard it sputtering, then fall to the ground," Walters said.
source (http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/7499026.htm)