2 injured after Coast Guard helicopter crash-lands at SFO
SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Calif. (KGO) --
A Coast Guard helicopter conducting a test flight crash-landed on an
airfield at the San Francisco International Airport, according to Coast
Guard officials. Two pilots suffered minor injuries. The rescue helicopter, a MH-65 Dolphin, made a hard landing around 2:50 p.m. Monday as a pilot and a flight mechanic were engaged in a routine maintenance test flight, officials said. The helicopter crashed when pilots lost control as they went to hover to land. The helicopter landed on its side.
The pilot and flight mechanic were being treated for minor injuries and were taken to San Francisco General Hospital.
"When they attempted to land a malfunction occurred and the aircraft landed on its side," said U.S. Coast Guard public information officer Bill Colclough. "Fortunately, both crew members were able to exit the aircraft."
The incident accident occurred on a tarmac at a Coast Guard facility at the north end of the airport, said SFO spokesman Doug Yakel said.
The incident is not affecting commercial operations at the airport.
An investigation into the crash is underway.
//---------------///
Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco aircrew receives minor injuries after crash during test flight
Air Station San Francisco MH-65 file photo U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Barry Bena.
A Coast Guard aircrew exited an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter with only minor injuries after the helicopter crashed during a maintenance test flight at Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco Monday.
At 2:55 p.m., while hovering approximately 10 feet from the ground, the helicopter experienced an apparent malfunction as the pilot attempted to land. The aircraft ended up on its side.
An investigation will be conducted to determine the exact cause of the incident.
Search-and-rescue helicopter coverage in the area is being temporarily provided by Coast Guard Air Station Humboldt Bay and Coast Guard Air Station Los Angeles.
Four helicopters and approximately 95 personnel are based at Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco, located at San Francisco International Airport. They provide search-and-rescue, law enforcement, port security and other emergency services in the region.