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2 injured after helicopter hits home, crashes in Newton

By Dave Faherty, wsoctv.com
By Dave Faherty, wsoctv.com

NEWTON, N.C. — The Federal Aviation Administration said a helicopter crashed Thursday afternoon, clipping a home in a North Carolina neighborhood. Emergency personnel said the two people onboard the aircraft were hurt.

[IMAGES: 2 injured after helicopter hits home, crashes in Newton]

Crews were called around 1:20 p.m. to a home on McKay Farm Road, which is off of Sigmon Dairy Road in Newton.

Channel 9 reporter Dave Faherty learned that the Robinson R44 helicopter had problems prior to the crash and it went nose down.

Eyewitnesses told Faherty that at least two people were hurt. The company that owns the helicopter, Chesapeake Bay Helicopters, said both crew members who were on board are OK.

(Click PLAY to watch Chopper 9 over the crash scene)

The helicopter clipped a portion of the roof as well as the foundation of the home. Channel 9 saw the wreckage of the crash in the front yard.

According to officials, the people aboard the helicopter were surveying a route for a natural gas line before the aircraft experienced engine trouble.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the crash and the National Transportation Safety Board will determine the cause.

Chesapeake Bay Helicopters statement on the crash:

"We are working with local investigators, appropriate authorities and emergency personnel. Both crew members are OK. We are very pleased to be able to say that. At this time we don’t know anything and aren't speculating as to the cause of the crash. We were performing work in the area consistent with our operating certificate.”

Check back to wsoctv.com for more on this developing story.

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