Pilots in a Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) helicopter encountered a harrowing situation, leading to an emergency landing on Wednesday afternoon.
HCSO said the situation unfolded at 4:04 p.m., when two pilots found themselves navigating a precarious descent in the skies above Plant City. Luckily, the pilots were able to land in a field off County Road 39.
The sheriff’s office was happy to report no one on board was injured. However, the helicopter itself did not emerge unscathed. The impact of the landing left it with some damage.
An investigation is underway to determine what happened, the sheriff’s office said.
“The safety of our deputies and pilots is our top priority. The helicopter will be grounded while a full investigation is underway to determine the cause of the incident,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “HCSO is committed to maintaining the highest safety standards for its fleet and will take necessary steps to fully investigate the cause of the incident.”