Cal Fire helicopter crashes in Banning; three people injured
Three people suffered moderate injuries Saturday after a Cal Fire helicopter crashed into a residential area in Banning, Cal Fire Riverside County Fire Department confirmed to CBSLA.
No houses were struck by the helicopter, CBSLA has learned.
Cal Fire said that the helicopter was attempting to land at Banning Airport located on the 200 block of S. Hathaway Street when it crashed.
Three people inside of it suffered moderate injuries and were extricated out of the helicopter.
All three were taken to a local trauma center.
The downed helicopter is a "call when needed" aircraft that was being utilized in Cal Fire's fight against the Fairview Fire, which has burned more than 27,000 acres.
The helicopter was returning to the base after it was in service to combat the fire.
The pilot and two Cal Fire firefighters were inside the Bell 206 helicopter when it crashed. Fortunately, all three suffered moderate injuries and were alert when first responders arrived, CBSLA's Laurie Perez reports.
"Sure enough I see the helicopter it was twirling like you see in movies. I was like wow," Michael Banuelos told Perez.
The crash was certainly a shocking sight to see for residents who live near the Banning Airport.
Cal Fire told Perez that the crash was caused by a malfunction. It's unclear what kind of malfunction that was.
"It started like spinning then it started falling down and then it just fell down and pieces went everywhere," Banuelos said.