Helicopter crash-lands in water in Cedar Lake, Indiana
CEDAR LAKE, Ind. (CBS) -- A helicopter crashed into Cedar Lake in Northwest Indiana Monday afternoon.
Cedar Lake police Deputy Chief Carl Brittingham wrote that at 1:09 p.m., he himself witnessed a small Robinson R22 helicopter flying low over the lake in Cedar Lake, Indiana heading north. Brittingham wrote that the helicopter went low above the water and moved toward land on the east side of the lake.
Brittingham saw the helicopter hit the surface of the water and spin out of control. He radioed for assistance, and more officers came to the scene.
The officers went out in a police boat, and confirmed both the helicopter pilot and passenger were safe. No one else near the lake was injured.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources said the pilot and passenger were able to get out and swim to shore.
Chopper 2 captured video of what appeared to be a blade from the helicopter submerged in water.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board were notified and are investigating. Meanwhile, divers were placed in the water at the crash site to examine the helicopter and make sure no one else was inside, police said.
Sunrise Pier & Lift Service got the helicopter out of the water with a crane and put it on a trailer on shore, police said.
The pilot had been leasing the helicopter out of Lansing Airport and lives on the lake near the crash site, police said. Police late Monday continued to investigate what happened.