East Pierce Fire and Rescue and the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department responded to a gyrocopter crash Saturday near a private air field in Buckley. - To view and buy photos go to www.courierherald.com Photo by Dannie Oliveaux
To view and buy photos go to www.courierherald.com Photo by Dannie Oliveaux
East Pierce Fire and Rescue and the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department responded to a gyrocopter crash Saturday near a private air field in Buckley.

Gyrocopter crashes into Buckley field


May 12, 2009 · Updated 1:00 AM 

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Two people were transported to a local hospital after the gyrocopter they were riding crashed Saturday near a private airfield in rural Buckley.

The husband and wife from Maple Valley were taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup, reported the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department. The wife was treated for non-life threatening injuries.

The sheriff’s department reported witnesses told investigators the two-seat gyrocopter was hovering about 50 feet above the private airport on 112th when the shadow from a passing aircraft overhead “spooked” the pilot and caused him to drop his craft toward the ground.

The copter’s blades hit the ground and caused it to flip on the ground, said Russ McCallion, assistant chief for East Piece Fire and Rescue.

The sheriff’s department reported the Federal Aviation Administration took over the investigation of the crash.

Emergency units from Auburn, Buckley and Orting assisted East Piece Fire and Rescue at the scene.

Reach Dannie Oliveaux at doliveaux@courierherald.com or 360-802-8209.

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