Helicopter Crash At Taunton Airport Caused By Wind Gust

TAUNTON, MA — A helicopter crashed on the runway of the Taunton Municipal Airport Tuesday afternoon. According to fire officials, the crash happened around 12:40 p.m., when the helicopter tried taking off and landed on its side. The pilot and his passenger were not injured.

Fire officials said the pilot was taking off and only a foot off the ground when a strong gust of wind caused the helicopter to tilt and fall on its side. The helicopter cab and rotor blade sustained significant damage.

The pilot shut the aircraft down, allowing both men to get out safely. Paramedics from the Taunton Fire Department and Brewster Ambulance checked on both men. Neither required medical attention.

Fire officials said the helicopter had come from New Bedford and was in Taunton as part of a training program. The instructor was piloting the helicopter when they took off to go back to New Bedford and crashed.

A small fuel spill from the helicopter was contained and firefighters shut the fuel off, preventing further spillage.

The Federal Aviation Administration is on the scene investigating the crash.