Sheriff’s Department Copter Crashes

A Sheriff’s Department helicopter crashed while taking off Tuesday from a helipad atop a 10-story parking structure near the Men’s Central Jail, flipping on its side and injuring the pilot, authorities said.

The pilot, whose name was not immediately released, had dropped off two passengers at the helipad before he attempted to leave about 3:30 p.m. and crashed, said Sheriff’s Cmdr. Robert E. Hoffman.

The pilot suffered what Hoffman described as minor leg injuries and was taken to a hospital for observation.

Long Beach Police Det. Dianna Rathbun was just outside the parking structure when she heard the helicopter.

“It just didn’t sound right,” Rathbun said. “Then I heard a big boom. I ran to see if I could give first aid. When I reached the roof, I saw a man in a green jumpsuit sitting.”

The man turned out to be the dazed pilot, sheriff’s officials said later.

The helicopter often is used to transport dignitaries but not for patrol purposes, said Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Bob Collis.

Sgt. William Brown of the sheriff’s Aero Bureau said the pilot was a 30-year department veteran. The helicopter was about 4 feet off the ground when it fell.