Helicopter Crashes in El Segundo

Witnesses pull injured pilot from downed chopper

A pilot injured in a helicopter crash at Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems in El Segundo was recovering Monday in a hospital.

The chopper crashed 9:30 a.m. Sunday morning in El Segundo after clipping the two-story office building, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

The pilot was "load lifting" an air conditioning unit when the aircraft's crane hit the Raytheon office building located in the 2000 block of E. El Segundo Boulevard, said FAA spokesman Mike Fergus.

"(The pilot) was pulled from the aircraft by people on the ground, prior to the helicopter bursting into flames," said Fergus.

Fire departments from Manhattan Beach, Torrance, Hermosa Beach and Los Angeles County needed 40 minutes to extinguish the blaze.

Officials say the chopper, a Sikorsky S-58ET, was crumpled and completely destroyed by the crash and fire.

The pilot's medical condition was not officially released, but he was believed to have been seriously injured, City News Service reported.

Copyright CNS - City News Service
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