Homemade Helicopter Makes Emergency Landing On Long Island
AQUEBOGUE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating after the pilot of a homemade ultralight helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing on Long Island Sunday afternoon.
Officials said mechanical problems forced the aircraft to land in a sod farm field behind a residential neighborhood north of Vineyard Way in Aquebogue.
The pilot, 71-year-old Erwin Rodger, was found unconscious and covered in gasoline outside of the helicopter, police said.
Rodger, of Mattituck, was taken to Peconic Bay Medical Center for evaluation, but did not suffer serious injuries, Newsday reported.
Rodger had built the Mosquito ultralight helicopter himself using a kit, according to authorities.
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