Crime & Safety
Helicopter Crashes Near Auld Road, French Valley Airport
The helicopter, described as a gyroplane, sustained major damage, firefighters say.
FRENCH VALLEY, CA — A small helicopter carrying only the pilot went down in Murrieta, near the French Valley Airport, at Auld and Briggs roads Thursday afternoon, authorities say.
Just after 1 p.m., a Cavalon gyroplane crashed in a field near French Valley Airport in Murrieta, according to Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Donnell Evans.
Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department responded to the crash scene, spokesperson Jasmine Wood told Patch.
Medics assessed the pilot, who declined treatment and refused a trip to the hospital, she said.
Crews remained at the scene to mitigate a small fuel leak from the aircraft and would stay in the area until after 5 p.m. According to Evans, the cause of the crash was under investigation by the FAA.
The FAA registry shows that the gyroplane, built in 2023, was under pending registration by Gyro-Ventures out of Peoria, Arizona. No other information was immediately available.
