FAA: Helicopter makes 'precautionary' landing at Mount Prospect Park in Clifton

A helicopter made a "precautionary" landing at a Passaic County baseball field Saturday evening, the FAA says.

News 12 Staff

Aug 23, 2020, 10:50 AM

Updated 1,339 days ago

Share:

A helicopter made a "precautionary" landing at a Passaic County baseball field Saturday evening, the FAA says.

The chopper landed at Mount Prospect Park in Clifton around 7 p.m.

Eyewitness accounts say the pilot and crew threw something out of the helicopter that was on fire and smoking.

A neighbor came out of their house to bring bottles of water to help extinguish the fire.

It is believed that that item also landed at the park, leaving burn marks on the ground.

It is unclear what the burning object was.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a statement, saying in part, "A Bell 206 helicopter made a precautionary landing in Mount Prospect Park in Clifton yesterday at 7 p.m. The pilot reported that a luggage door indicator alerted. The aircraft departed of the park and landed safely at Essex County Airport."

Neighbors say they witnessed the incident right from their homes.

"Saw the helicopter circle around twice and then come down," says James Swisher. "And I said, 'Oh my God, there must be something going on.'"

The helicopter flew away before emergency crews arrived to the scene.

The FAA says it will continue to investigate.


More from News 12
1:49
Fire in Newark displaces dozens of people, destroys businesses

Fire in Newark displaces dozens of people, destroys businesses

2:23
Spotty showers overnight with lows around 48; breezy but sunny Wednesday ahead

Spotty showers overnight with lows around 48; breezy but sunny Wednesday ahead

1:17
Police: 4 thieves stole high-end handbags from Montclair shop

Police: 4 thieves stole high-end handbags from Montclair shop

1:37
NJ Business Coalition urges lawmakers to reconsider corporate transit fee

NJ Business Coalition urges lawmakers to reconsider corporate transit fee

0:28
Police: Man accused of stealing steaks from Bayonne Walmart at knifepoint

Police: Man accused of stealing steaks from Bayonne Walmart at knifepoint

0:19
Road rage incident in Jersey City caught on camera; police seek driver

Road rage incident in Jersey City caught on camera; police seek driver

0:56
Jersey Proud: Man walks across the US raising money for ‘America Walks’

Jersey Proud: Man walks across the US raising money for ‘America Walks’

2:00
Seaside Park enacts new ‘No Wake Zone’ law to prevent people causing havoc in flooded streets

Seaside Park enacts new ‘No Wake Zone’ law to prevent people causing havoc in flooded streets

1:07
Paterson middle school briefly goes into lockdown following gunshots at nearby home

Paterson middle school briefly goes into lockdown following gunshots at nearby home

2:04
Police: Crews rescue 46 dogs from fire inside Pio Costa industrial complex in Fairfield

Police: Crews rescue 46 dogs from fire inside Pio Costa industrial complex in Fairfield

0:31
Sources: Body recovered in Barnegat Bay believed to be missing Island Heights woman

Sources: Body recovered in Barnegat Bay believed to be missing Island Heights woman

1:52
Police: South Brunswick crash involving car and motorcycle kills 1

Police: South Brunswick crash involving car and motorcycle kills 1

0:55
News 12 and Red Bulls host Weather Education Day at Red Bull Arena

News 12 and Red Bulls host Weather Education Day at Red Bull Arena

0:20
Police: Burglar found in crawl space at Ocean Township diner

Police: Burglar found in crawl space at Ocean Township diner

Police: 1 person killed in car crash on Route 535 in South Brunswick

Police: 1 person killed in car crash on Route 535 in South Brunswick

0:29
Moscow court rejects Evan Gershkovich's appeal, keeping him in jail until at least June 30

Moscow court rejects Evan Gershkovich's appeal, keeping him in jail until at least June 30

0:27
Newark Liberty International Airport’s Terminal A named world’s best terminal by Skytrax

Newark Liberty International Airport’s Terminal A named world’s best terminal by Skytrax

1:52
Rahway police seek public’s help identifying suspects in attempted car thefts, burglaries

Rahway police seek public’s help identifying suspects in attempted car thefts, burglaries

0:29
Former Wildwood mayor indicted for 2nd time, accused of tax evasion

Former Wildwood mayor indicted for 2nd time, accused of tax evasion

0:31
Authorities ID 3 people killed in South Brunswick crash

Authorities ID 3 people killed in South Brunswick crash