The pilot of a civilian helicopter that landed upside down beneath the Coronado Bridge is also the owner of the yacht used to launch the chopper.
Howard Leight, Sr. was behind the controls when the chopper ran into mechanical problems soon after it took off and crashed into the bay just before 6:30 p.m. Sunday. The 69-year-old pilot issued a mayday call minutes after he left his yacht the "Leight Star" docked behind the San Diego Convention Center.
Harbor police pulled Leight from the water and transported him to UCSD Medical Center where he was treated for cuts and bruises.
Leight founded a very successful company based on hearing protection.
The damaged helicopter was pulled from the water and placed on a barge in the bay to preserve evidence. The National Transportation Safety Board is expected to take over the investigation.
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