Witnesses Say Tail Rotor Lost Power During Ferry Flight

The US Navy pilot of a Seahawk helicopter (file photo shown) made what is being called "aggressive emergency landing" from an estimated 25-30 feet above the runway at Jefferson City Memorial Airport in Missouri Saturday afternoon.

Responders reported that among the crew of three, the pilot was not injured, while another occupant was treated for minor injuries at a local hospital and released to help the pilot secure sensitive equipment. A third man seated in the rear of the aircraft, where the most damage occurred, was hospitalized for treatment of a fractured vertebra.

News Tribune cites witness accounts in reporting the $38 million helicopter took off without incident just before 1400 local time, but appeared to lose power to the tail rotor, prompting the emergency landing. Photos from the scene show significant tail boom damage. Jefferson City Fire Chief Bob Rennick told the paper he understood the aircraft was being ferried to San Diego from a Lockheed Martin facility in New York where it was built, and had only about 20 hours on the Hobbs.

There was an airshow taking place at the airport Saturday, but the Seahawk was not involved. The Navy will investigate the accident.

FMI: www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=1200&tid=500&ct=1