The wreckage of a helicopter sits on the side of Signal Mountain above the Falling Water Community. Two people were injured in the incident which occurred Tuesday afternoon.
Contributed Photo.An experimental helicopter crash in the Falling Water area resulted in minor injuries Tuesday evening.
Steve Michael, a Soddy-Daisy pilot, picked up passenger Ivan Vernon in the helicopter at the Branches Plantation, according to Hamilton County EMS spokeswoman Amy Maxwell.
The helicopter began to lose power and descend quickly after taking off, Maxwell said. Michael could not steer the helicopter to a clearing of land and crashed the helicopter on its side in a creek at the plantation, she said.
When Dallas Bay Volunteer Fire Department responded at 6:45 p.m., they reported the helicopter was on fire, Maxwell said. Firefightrers were able to quickly extinguish the blaze and use absorption pads to stop fuel from spilling into the creek, she said.
Both passengers were able to walk away from the crash site, although Michael sustained a few cuts and scrapes and Vernon was transported by Hamilton County EMS with minor burns and cuts, Maxwell said.
Damages to the experimental helicopter are a total loss and valued at $100,000, she said.