Mesa police helicopter pilot hospitalized after making hard landing in San Tan Valley

SAN TAN VALLEY, Ariz. (KSAZ) - Authorities say a Mesa police officer-in-training suffered a head injury when his helicopter had to make an emergency landing in San Tan Valley. Police say the pilot was flying from Falcon Field to Coolidge when the helicopter was forced to land due to engine failure around 10:00 a.m. on Thursday.

Rural Metro Fire officials say the pilot was the only person on board and wasn't seriously hurt despite the head injury. He was alert and conscious. The man's name wasn't immediately released.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident, which left the helicopter with significant damage.

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