Helicopter Crashes in Parking Lot Near Orting

Orting, United States – A helicopter crashed in a parking lot in the Orting area after its pilot reported an engine failure, falling about 40 feet to the ground.

Footage released by the Pierce County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday, November 10, shows the helicopter lying on its side in a parking lot under a grey sky, with firefighters in turnout gear standing around the wreckage.

The sheriff's office said deputies responded around noon on Saturday, November 7. The pilot was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and the aircraft was later towed from the scene.

Central Pierce Fire & Rescue said crews were called to the 13900 block of McCutcheon Road East late that morning, found the helicopter leaking fuel and took the only person aboard to hospital. It said the helicopter had been used in tree harvesting at a nearby tree farm, and that the FAA and NTSB were notified. The cause remains under investigation.