Chopper Makes Emergency Landing At Modesto, California Playground; No Injuries

MODESTO, Calif. -- Authorities say a helicopter encountered mechanical problems before making an emergency landing at an elementary school playground in a Modesto, Calif., neighborhood.

The aircraft had fueled at the Modesto Airport and managed to land safely in a grassy area at El Vista Elementary School after nearly hitting trees and a soccer goal. No one was injured.

Battalion Chief Hugo Patino says the two-seat helicopter made a hard landing following apparent mechanical failure.

The pilot, who didn't give his full name, told the Bee the helicopter started having problems at 800 feet and he had no other safe place to land.

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Comments

[GSR]

05:14 AM on 02/07/2012

MMMM another Robbo.

[Al Schrader]

07:34 PM on 02/06/2012

These helicopters are incredibly dangerous. I hate it when they fly over my house.

[BrettG88]

05:25 PM on 02/06/2012

Well, they got some new playground toys!! LOL. Just kidding, good job on the pilots part. A street could be safe too. I wondered if any kids were outside?

[grifrn]

04:42 PM on 02/06/2012

As a passenger in US Army UH-60 had to autorotate in. Pilots were awesome. They never bought a beer in the officers' club after that. Loved those guys!

[SoulOfDespair]

01:45 PM on 02/06/2012

That would a fascinating memory for a child! Nothing ever happened in my playground...

[rocknhula]

01:10 PM on 02/06/2012

I like things with wings

[Canefighter]

12:01 PM on 02/06/2012

Remember this, any landing is a controlled crash. The Pilot did well.

[backwaterbandit]

11:20 AM on 02/06/2012

remind me of another california story. SUV runs over child.

[ebbjib75]

11:08 AM on 02/06/2012

No mater what type of landing you have - if you can walk away from it, it is a good one......

[stjoshy]

01:07 PM on 02/06/2012

tell that to the guy who let his plane fly into a crowd of people as he ejected to the sky and floated safely to the ground while the plane tore through people like butter

[1frank]

01:14 AM on 02/07/2012

collateral;

[rkeeeballs]

10:02 AM on 02/06/2012

You walked away......good landing !

[matdough]

04:56 PM on 02/06/2012

It was an Indian pilot going to dunkin' donuts !

[pitciarn]

09:34 AM on 02/06/2012

No injuries on the ground from bystanders Or the pilot. Good flying by the pilot, A win for everybody