01 August 2023 , 20:12
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All commercial flights at a busy US airport were suspended after a police helicopter crashed into an airfield.
Charleston International Airport, in North Charleston, South Carolina, shared an update on Twitter to confirm the suspension. Charleston police then said their helicopter had crashed a "short time ago" near the airport, saying the pilot "did report a malfunction" a short time before the crash.
The Charleston County Sheriff's Office said the helicopter crashed at around 3.30pm. The crash happened on the South Aviation Avenue side of the airport - the opposite side of the property to the terminal.
Charleston International Airport said: "Commercial flights have been temporarily suspended at Charleston International Airport due to an ongoing incident. Travellers are asked to check in with their individual airlines before arriving at CHS for their flights."
In an update at around 5.28pm local time, tonight, the airport, tweeting as @iflyCHS, said: "One of the runways have reopened and flights are resuming at CHS. Please direct all incident questions to @ChasCoSheriff . We will continue to update you on social media."
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(wtoc)The airport said they will be providing more information "as updates arrive". Meanwhile, the Charleston County Sheriff's Office said: "CCSO's helicopter crashed a short time ago near Charleston International Airport. Crews are on scene. More information will follow."
Airport officials said flights were temporarily suspended at 3.45pm local time. An update from the Charleston County Sheriffs Office said: "The pilot was the only person on the helicopter. He suffered non-life threatening injuries and was taken to MUSC (Medical University of South Carolina)."
According to Flight Aware, the airport was holding all inbound flights at their point of origin until at least 6pm, local time. Airport spokesman Spencer Pryor confirmed that one runway has reopened at South Carolina's busiest airport.
Video from the scene shows a number of emergency services gathered on the tarmac at the airport next to the mangled wreck of the helicopter. Fire crews can be seen at the scene as emergency service work to clear the wreckage.
(wtoc)At least two United States Air Force vehicles, which look to be recovery/fire department vehicles can be seen at the site of the crash as crews work to get the airport moving again. Charleston International Airport is a joint civil and military airport, operated by the Charleston County Aviation Authority under a joint-use agreement with Joint Base Charleston.
A source from law enforcement told ABC News 4 that the helicopter was coming from Sumter - where Charleston County Sheriff's Office has maintenance done.
(wtoc)Charleston Airport CEO Elliott Summey spoke to local reporters confirming that it was a Charleston County Sheriff's Office helicopter that went down.
Mr Summey told the local press that the pilot knew it was coming, so got himself to the middle of the airfield - believed to be in an attempt to avoid crashing into other aircraft. Mr Summey described the helicopter as being "in shambles" but said the pilot is "fine".
Charleston International Airport (TSA)Apparently, Mr Summey saw the helicopter go down from his office window and ran out immediately "with tears in his eyes, thinking it would be tragic", according to WCIV's Scott Eisberg.
There were reports the I-26 was set to partially close eastbound near the airport to allow for an emergency landing. However, it's since been confirmed that the small plane, which was low on fuel, was able to land safely at another airport.
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