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HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. (KABC) — Three days after a horrifying helicopter crash in Huntington Beach, a massive crane finally lifted the aircraft off of the structure that it crashed into.
The helicopter was lowered onto a flatbed truck while hundreds of people lined up behind a fence to watch the process.
Five people were injured in Saturday’s crash, including three people on the ground whose conditions remain unclear.
The pilot who crashed the helicopter has been identified as Eric Nixon. Nixon’s father-in-law says he’s recovering in the hospital with broken ribs, a crushed vertebrae and several bruises.
The only other person on the helicopter said she is about to go in for another surgery, posting on Instagram with a caption that said in part, “I can’t thank Eric enough. Not only is he an amazing pilot, but his quick actions made sure that we both got out safely. There’s truly nothing like seeing your hometown from the sky and I’ll never take that view, or the gift of another day, for granted.”
Shocking video obtained by Eyewitness News shows the moment the helicopter came crashing down.
Before landing, the tail rotor appeared to fall off. The aircraft was spinning out of control before suddenly dropping, crashing right on top of a staircase leading from the beach to one of the hotels across the street.
The helicopter involved in the crash was set to take part in the “Cars ‘N Copters” event, which went on as scheduled on Sunday.
The National Transportation Safety Board should have a preliminary report on the cause of the crash in 30 days.
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Rob McMillan
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