NO INJURIES IN HARD LANDING OF PRIVATE HELICOPTER IN DORCHESTER CO.

Maryland State Police Press Release
03/24/2015
 

NO INJURIES IN HARD LANDING OF PRIVATE HELICOPTER IN DORCHESTER CO.

(TAYLORS ISLAND, MD) – Maryland state troopers on the scene are reporting there were no injuries to the two people on board a private helicopter that landed in the water just off the Dorchester County shore late this afternoon.

The two on board the Bell Jet Ranger helicopter are identified as the pilot, Vincent T. Giglio, 45, of New Jersey, and his passenger, Ronald F. Lopes, 61, of New York. Neither reported any injuries.

At about 5:30 p.m. today, Maryland State Police from the Easton Barrack began a search for a possible downed aircraft in or near the water in the southern part of Dorchester Co. The Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office had been notified by Patuxent Approach Control of a distress call from an aircraft in that area. Maryland State Police helicopter Trooper 6 launched and began an aerial search.

While troopers were en route, additional calls came in providing information on the actual location of the aircraft, which was in about four feet of water off the 500-block of Hoopers Neck Road, in Taylors Island. The crew of Trooper 6 located the scene and landed nearby. Troopers arrived and made contact with the pilot and passenger. Both had exited the aircraft without assistance and walked to shore.

The preliminary information indicates the pilot may have experienced some type of mechanical problem with the helicopter. He radioed a distress call, then made a hard landing as close to shore as possible.

The National Transportation Safety Board has been notified. No further information is available.