A pilot and two passengers suffered minor injuries when a charter helicopter made an emergency landing in the ocean. It happened Monday evening near the airport in Key West. Peter Closi, owner of Air Adventures Helicopter Tours, said the problem began shortly after his pilot left the airport for a sunset flight. "Just after takeoff the pilot experienced some vibration," Closi said. "He called the airport and said he was turning around coming back to land. As he turned around, he heard a loud pop," Closi said. Emergency crews rushed to the spot where the helicopter splashed down, and rescued the pilot and passengers. Closi said the pilot suffered a cut near his eye and the passengers were checked by paramedics and released. Closi said his company had an annual inspection on its 3-year-old Robinson R44 helicopter last month and everything passed. He said he's been in business for five years and this is the company's first incident. "We don't know what caused it yet and we're not going to fly until we figure out what happened," Closi said.

A pilot and two passengers suffered minor injuries when a charter helicopter made an emergency landing in the ocean.


It happened Monday evening near the airport in Key West.

Peter Closi, owner of Air Adventures Helicopter Tours, said the problem began shortly after his pilot left the airport for a sunset flight.

"Just after takeoff the pilot experienced some vibration," Closi said.

"He called the airport and said he was turning around coming back to land. As he turned around, he heard a loud pop," Closi said.

Emergency crews rushed to the spot where the helicopter splashed down, and rescued the pilot and passengers.

Closi said the pilot suffered a cut near his eye and the passengers were checked by paramedics and released.

Closi said his company had an annual inspection on its 3-year-old Robinson R44 helicopter last month and everything passed.

He said he's been in business for five years and this is the company's first incident.

"We don't know what caused it yet and we're not going to fly until we figure out what happened," Closi said.