AZUSA - The National Transportation Safety Board released a preliminary report recently indicating the causes that contributed to a crash that injured six of water Los Angeles County sheriffs rescue helicopter.

The Eurocopter AS332L1 that was being flown March 19 to treat and transport a crash victim along Highway 39 north of Azusa became engulfed in dust as it descended to about five feet above a dirt turnout. The main rotors struck a nearby tree. The helicopter crashed and rolled over in the landing zone, according to the NTSB.

Of the six people on board, four suffered serious injuries. Two received minor injuries.

The crash occurred around 5:07 p.m.

As the pilot in command, who was behind the controls, the other pilot and crew chief coordinated a landing, the trio discussed a potential dust hazard known as a “brownout” and tree hazard, according to the NTSB.

As the Sheriff’s Air Rescue 5 helicopter descended on the landing zone, the pilot in command heard the crew chief say “hold.” As the descent slowed, a dust cloud overcame the helicopter, according to the NTSB.

The six on board had to be extricated from the crashed helicopter. Brackets securing the pilot in command’s lap belt also fractured from their position, according to the NTSB.

The main rotor system and fuselage sustained major damage.

The wreckage was taken to a secure location for further investigation, according to the NTSB.

AZUSA - The pilot of a Sikorsky S-58 helicopter was uninjured after making an emergency landing on a field at Azusa High School September 11.

The helicopter landed on a field on the south side of Azusa High School, 240 N. Cerritos Ave., around 12:40 p.m. The pilot, the lone occupant of the helicopter, made the landing for unknown reasons, according to Ian Gregor, public affairs manager with the Federal Aviation Administration.