Pilots In R22 Suffer Minor Injuries, Plane Lands Safely

A vintage World War II aircraft, believed to be a T-6 Texan (type shown at right), collided with a training helicopter at Weiser Airpark (EYQ) northwest of Houston on Saturday afternoon.

The Houston Chronicle reports the plane's left wing struck the tail shaft of the helicopter, which crashed to the ground. The two persons aboard the helo suffered non-life-threatening injuries, and were transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital for treatment, Cy-Fair Volunteer Fire Department spokesman Karl Pflughaupt said.

The T-6 was reported to have been taking off at the time of the midair, and was able to circle around for a safe landing. The plane's left wing was damaged, as was the helicopter's rotor and landing gear, Pflughaupt said.

The helicopter type has not been released, but photos show the wreckage of what appears to be a Robinson R22. Anything's Possible Aviation, a flight school based at EYQ, operate a fleet of Robinson R22s and R44s.

The Federal Aviation Administration is conducting an investigation of the incident.

FMI: www.weiserairpark.com, www.apaviationinc.com