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Engine malfunction blamed after helicopter crash
A HELICOPTER dropped out of the sky after its engine cut out over East Baldwin on Friday afternoon.
The incident happened in a field by the Mount Rule Road shortly after 2pm.
Pilot David Astill was not injured.
The fire, police and ambulance crews attended the scene but stood down shortly afterwards.
Mr Astill had been flying the Enstrom F280 from Virginia Farm, Braddan, on his way to Laxey when the engine stopped and he fell between 100 and 150 feet.
He has had his pilot's licence for 18 years.
The helicopter appeared to have suffered damage to one of its skids and one of the rotor blades had some slight damage.
A fire service spokesman said: 'Fire crews from Douglas, Laxey and Peel were called to an incident where a helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing in a field adjacent to the Mount Rule Road.
'The helicopter suffered an engine malfunction and the pilot had to make a forced landing in the field. He did well to land where he did.
'He was quite close to some houses.
'Although the pilot was able to walk away apparently uninjured, and after a brief inspection by ambulance crews was released on scene not requiring an attendance at Noble's Hospital, the aircraft did suffer heavy damage to the left side.
'No other persons or livestock were injured in the accident. The incident was quickly closed down and fire crews were able to leave the scene after 40 minutes.'
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Weather for Isle of Man
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 1 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 3 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: South
