Helicopter Crashes Into Power Lines in Calif.

July 21, 2011
AROMAS, Calif. -- A helicopter spiraled to the ground in Aromas after it flew into power lines Highway 129, on Wednesday morning, CalFire firefighters said. The crop dusting helicopter ripped into power lines and its pilot maneuvered the aircraft into a lettuce field below, near Riverside Road and Murphy's Crossing Road. The pilot, an apprentice in training, walked away from the crash unharmed, CalFire said. His crumpled aircraft lay destroyed on top of lettuce rows.

AROMAS, Calif. --

A helicopter spiraled to the ground in Aromas after it flew into power lines Highway 129, on Wednesday morning, CalFire firefighters said.

The crop dusting helicopter ripped into power lines and its pilot maneuvered the aircraft into a lettuce field below, near Riverside Road and Murphy's Crossing Road.

The pilot, an apprentice in training, walked away from the crash unharmed, CalFire said. His crumpled aircraft lay destroyed on top of lettuce rows.

The rookie pilot had been flying by himself in a Bell 47G5 crop dusting helicopter while spraying lettuce fields with pesticides.

In the crash, the chopper knocked over a power pole and torn down power lines. No fires were sparked and power in the area was not affected.

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