Pilot Injured as Crop-Dusting Helicopter Crashes in Castaic
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Acrop-dusting helicopter crashed after becoming entangled in a power line Thursday, seriously injuring the pilot, Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies said.
The pilot, James Davidson, 39, was spraying herbicide over Peter J. Pitchess Honor Rancho in Castaic about 7:50 a.m. when the aircraft crashed, agriculture investigator Mike Pearson said.
The helicopter clipped a power line and fell 60 feet to the ground, Pearson said.
About 25 gallons of herbicide spilled from the helicopter. A hazardous materials team from the county Fire Department and inspectors from the county Health Services Department determined that the herbicide was not an environmental or health hazard.
Davidson was in serious condition Thursday at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital in Valencia, a hospital spokesman said.
There were no passengers.
Cause of the crash is under investigation.
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