WABASHA, Minn. – A State Patrol helicopter and duck collided in flight, but the helicopter, although crippled and the pilot injured, managed to make it 80 miles to its home airport in St. Paul and land safely. The pilot suffered a head injury. He was treated at the airport and taken to a hospital. The injury was non-life threatening. A second pilot was unhurt. The helicopter was damaged but believed reparable. The duck died. the helicopter was returning from a local police call in Wabasha County. The collision was about 10:15 p.m.
Point of impact. Look into the cockpit of the Bell 407 head-on. The blue circle on the instrument console to your right is where the duck smashed through the canopy. Feathers were stuck in the craft’s interior.