Look Out Below!

A Robinson R44 helicopter crashed while giving rides at the annual open house of the Greenwood Airport (HFY), just south of Indianapolis, Indiana on Saturday morning. The pilot and two passengers on board the aircraft sustained minor injuries and were treated and released from Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.

"I saw it rocking back and forth, and it tried to go higher," said Aaron Smith, who was working at the open house. "Then it tipped over and stuff flew everywhere."

Passengers Benjamin Bensch, 26, Indianapolis, and Darryl Pike, 54, Fishers, were taking a sightseeing flight in the aircraft operated by Freedom Helicopters. The pilot, Joseph Newkirk, 42, of Franklin, Indiana, may have lost control of the aircraft while attempting to land. (File Photo)

Witnesses reported that the tail rotor struck the ground, the aircraft rolled to the left, and then flipped over as the main rotors impacted the ground. Pieces of the aircraft were thrown over one hundred feet from the impact. The aircraft is considered a total loss.

Gusty winds are being considered as a factor in the accident.

FMI: www.freedomhelicopters.com