ST. LUCIE COUNTY - A helicopter crashed during or shortly after take-off Saturday morning at the St. Lucie International Airport, sheriff’s officials said.

The Enstrom F-28 C helicopter encountered a strong wind gust just before it crashed, said Kathleen Bergen, Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman.

The pilot, whose name or other information wasn’t immediately available Saturday, suffered only minor, non-life threatening injuries, officials said. The pilot was the sole person on board.

FAA aircraft records show the helicopter is registered to Richard C. Theriault of Vineland, N.J. It is unknown whether he was the pilot.

The helicopter, built in 1976, crashed about 11:30 a.m. near the southeast end of the airport. It was found on its side with at least one of its two rotors mangled. The rotors were facing south.

About 25 of its 45 gallons of fuel leaked out, said Catherine Chaney, St. Lucie County Fire District spokeswoman.

Officials from the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, St. Lucie County Fire District and FAA investigated the incident throughout Saturday.

No further details were released.

Tags: airport

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