A training helicopter crashed Saturday morning in a remote part of the Everglades near Miramar, Florida, with two people on board who sustained minor injuries, local authorities reported.
The Sun Sentinel reported that the aircraft, a Robinson R22 with the registration number N8316N, took off from North Perry Airport in Pembroke Pines and went down around 9:30 a.m. in the Bass Creek area, roughly half a kilometer from US 27 South and Pembroke Road.
A flight instructor and their student were aboard the helicopter and survived the accident with only minor injuries.
Janice McIntosh, spokesperson for the Miramar Police, stated that the helicopter was "flying low when it contacted the ground and ended up on its side."
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) described the incident as a rollover that occurred following landing, near Opa-locka West Airport.
The inhospitable terrain of grasslands where the helicopter went down required a complex technical rescue operation.
Battalion Chief Michael Kane of Broward Fire Rescue explained the maneuver: "Our highly skilled rescue paramedics conducted an extremely technical hoisting operation, lowering a firefighter by cable from the helicopter into the remote Everglades grasslands. The victim was secured and safely transported."
Both occupants were conscious and moving on their own when rescued, according to Pembroke Pines Fire and Rescue (PPFR), which collaborated with Broward Sheriff's Office (BSO) Air and Water Rescue units.
Pembroke Pines Police also participated in the efforts and warned residents about potential traffic disruptions in the southwest intersection area of US 27 and Pembroke Road.
The crashed helicopter is registered to N8316N LLC, a Delaware-based limited liability company, according to FAA records.
The Robinson R22 is the most widely used two-seat training helicopter in flight schools worldwide, and North Perry Airport conducts about 75% of its operations in flight instruction, making it one of the busiest pilot training centers in South Florida.
South Florida has seen several aviation accidents in the Everglades and surrounding areas in recent years, some with fatal outcomes, highlighting the risks of flying at low altitudes over this difficult terrain.
The FAA remained on the scene investigating the incident, with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) expected to arrive later for the official investigation.
Everglades Helicopter Crash Investigation and Safety Concerns
What caused the helicopter to crash in the Everglades?
The exact cause of the crash is under investigation by the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Initial reports suggest that the helicopter made contact with the ground while flying low, leading to a rollover.
Were there any fatalities in the accident?
No, both the flight instructor and the student survived the crash with minor injuries.
How common are helicopter accidents in the Everglades?
The Everglades and surrounding areas have experienced several aviation accidents in recent years, some with fatal outcomes, highlighting the inherent risks of flying in this difficult-to-access terrain.