Incredible moment a helicopter crashes into the desert while racing a supercar for South Korean Top Gear

Crash happened as AH1 Cobra helicopter raced a Corvette ZR1 for hit show



Footage was captured by cameramen shooting race in Coolidge, Arizona

Incredibly nobody was hurt in the smash, even the pilot



This is the terrifying moment a helicopter crashes into the desert while filming a high-speed pursuit for the South Korean version of Top Gear.

The incredible smash took place during a segment of the hit show which pitted a Corvette ZR1 supercar against an AH1 Cobra chopper in a race.

But moments after the chequered flag falls, the unnamed pilot loses control, sending the helicopter into a tailspin.

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Terrifying: The film camera catches the state-of-the-art AH1 Cobra plummeting to Earth after getting into trouble

Loud bang: The aircraft is seen hitting the ground with a deafening bang yards from a film crew

Cloud of smoke: As it crashed into the desert eart it sent a plume of dust and debris flying into the air



Lucky escape: Incredibly, nobody was seriously hurt in the crash, not even the pilot

The footage was captured by cameramen shooting the race in Coolidge, Arizona.

The camera catches the state-of-the-art aircraft plummeting to Earth before hitting the ground with a deafening bang yards from a film crew and sending a plume of dust into the air.

Presenter Kim Jin Pyo, who had been driving the ZR1, can be heard muttering in disbelief about what he had just witnessed as he brings his vehicle to a halt and runs over to help the stricken pilot.

Astonishingly, nobody was seriously hurt in the crash.

Earlier: The incredible smash took place during a segment of the hit show which pitted a Corvette ZR1 supercar against a AH1 Cobra chopper in a race to see which was fastest

Disaster: Presenter Kim Jin Pyo, who had been driving the ZR1, can be heard muttering in disbelief about what he had just witnessed

On board camera: The unnamed pilot is seen here flying the chopper expertly before running into trouble

War veteran: The AH-1 was the backbone of the United States Army's attack helicopter fleet until it was replaced and provided vital air support to ground forces in the Vietnam War

While the accident happened in March last year, Top Gear have only just released the footage.



The aircraft had been hovering at no more than 200ft when a mechanical failure forced it to the ground.

The AH-1 was the backbone of the United States Army's attack helicopter fleet until it was replaced by the AH-64 Apache in Army service.

Known for its high speed and maneuverability, it played a key role in supporting ground troops during both the Vietnam War in 1968 and Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in the Gulf War between 1990 and 1991. It was retired from active service in 1999.