Crime & Safety
Pilot Injured After ‘Homemade’ Helicopter Crashes Into House
A 51-year-old Odessa man was hospitalized after his helicopter crashed into a house Monday night.
ODESSA, FL — The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has released more details related to a Monday night helicopter-versus-house crash.
Authorities say Bradley John Bates’ chopper crashed onto the roof of a home in the 9400 block of Roberts Road shortly before 5:30 p.m. Sept. 26.
Bates was the only occupant of the craft, which “appears to be a homemade helicopter from a kit,” an email from the sheriff’s office said. (For more local news from Florida, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Westchase Patch. Click here to find your local Florida Patch. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)
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Bates was taken to a local hospital for treatment after the crash. Deputies say he was last listed in stable condition.
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No one was inside the home when the crash occurred.
The sheriff’s office said federal agencies were notified of the crash and are investigating. The helicopter “will remain in place” until the agencies decide to remove it, the sheriff’s office noted.
No further information is available at this time.
Photo and video courtesy of Hillsborough County Fire Rescue
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