Instructor dies and student fighting for life after helicopter crashes into car outside Bankstown Airport in southwest Sydney
A man has died and a teenager is fighting for life after a helicopter crashed into a car outside an airport.
The Robinson R22 helicopter was conducting a training flight when it came down on Birch St, outside Bankstown Airport in Sydney’s southwest, about 1.30pm on Friday.
Dashcam footage captured the helicopter clipping power lines and smashing through trees before crashing into a parked car, leaving a dent in its boot.
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The 19-year-old student, who was reportedly in control at the time, was pulled from the wreckage by bystanders.
He was treated for serious spinal injuries before being rushed to Liverpool Hospital in a critical condition.
Police have established a crime scene, and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has launched an investigation.
“Planned activities include site and wreckage examination, mapping of the site, and recovery of any helicopter components for further examination at the ATSB’s technical facilities in Canberra,” the ATSB said in a statement on Friday.
The bureau is urging anyone with video footage of the helicopter to come forward via the witness form on their website at atsb.gov.au/witness as soon as possible.
Originally published on 7NEWS
