A skilled pilot is being praised as a hero after safely landing a PennSTAR medical helicopter on a front lawn in Whitemarsh Township—just three miles short of its destination in Blue Bell, reports Neil Fischer for NBC 10 Philadelphia.
The aircraft, en route from Philadelphia to Wings Field, made an emergency landing around 7:45 PM. The craft had three crew members on board and no patients. Despite the tense situation, no one was seriously injured, and the helicopter narrowly avoided homes, cars, and residents.
One part of the aircraft detached and landed several houses away, but the bulk of the helicopter remained intact.
Whitemarsh Police Chief Christopher Ward referred to the landing as “a miracle.” He commended the pilot’s ability to steer the out-of-control craft away from harm. “We got very lucky tonight,” he said.
Neighbors described seeing the helicopter pitch upward as it descended, immediately realizing something was wrong.
Metro Aviation, which operates the PennSTAR helicopter, expressed gratitude that all aboard walked away safely. “We are especially proud of our pilot for his professionalism and skill in executing a safe landing under challenging circumstances,” the company said in a statement.
To learn more about the pilot’s remarkable emergency landing in Whitemarsh Township, visit NBC10 Philadelphia.
