LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- A U.S. Border Patrol helicopter went down Thursday night near the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, the FAA said.

The McDonnell Douglas 600N, with three people on board, made a forced landing because of engine trouble.

The three people were able to exit the helicopter on their own and were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Aerial images showed the chopper sitting on the edge of the surf, just north of the nuclear plant. The aircraft was significantly damaged, authorities said.

The helicopter was going from the airport in Long Beach, California, to the Brown Field airport in San Diego, said Vince Bond, the Border Patrol's public information officer.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the case.

CNN's Chandler Friedman contributed to this report.

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