Helicopter Burns, But Lands Safely

A helicopter offering short rides at a festival caught fire while flying, but landed safely.

Bystanders reported the helicopter was dripping oil, Stanwood police Officer Rick Nauman said.

“They heard a noise, like a sputtering, saw a trail of light smoke, then more smoke, then it burst into flame, like oil on a motor does,” he said.

Nauman, the pilot and others used fire extinguishers to put out the fire after the copter landed in a field Sunday during the city’s MayFest celebration.

The tail section of the aircraft was heavily damaged, he said.

The passengers, a father and daughter, appeared shaken but unhurt, he said.

Preliminary reports were that the pilot experienced some engine problems and the tail rotor broke off the aircraft when it landed, said Mike O’Connor, regional duty officer for the Federal Aviation Administration, which was investigating.