Helicopter, Flying from New Bedford, Crashes in Taunton

TAUNTON — Fire Chief Timothy Bradshaw and Police Chief Edward Walsh report that the Taunton Fire and Police Departments responded to a helicopter crash at the Taunton Municipal Airport Tuesday afternoon.

The pilot and passenger, both adult men, were uninjured in the crash.

At approximately 12:40 p.m., first responders went to the airport for a report of a helicopter that had crashed upon takeoff.

Upon arrival, the pilot and passenger had safely gotten themselves out of the helicopter, which came to rest on its side.

The initial investigation indicates that the pilot was taking off, with the helicopter about a foot off the ground, when a strong gust of wind caused the helicopter to tilt and fall onto its side. The helicopter cab and rotor blade sustained significant damage. The pilot was able to shut the aircraft down and both men were able to safely get out.

Medics from the Taunton Fire Department and Brewster Ambulance checked both men and they were not injured.

The helicopter had come from New Bedford and landed in Taunton as part of a training program. The instructor was piloting the helicopter when they attempted to take off to go back to New Bedford when the crash occurred.

The Federal Aviation Administration has been called to respond to the scene to investigate.

A small fuel spill from the helicopter has been contained and firefighters were able to shut the fuel off, preventing further spillage.

The Taunton Municipal Airport houses approximately 100 aircraft and sees a couple of dozen aircraft come and go each day.

--Taunton Police