Helicopter crashes into cherry orchard

ROYAL CITY - A 31-year-old Tumwater man was hospitalized after the helicopter he was piloting crashed the morning of June 24 into a cherry orchard between Royal City and George.

Christopher Iezzoni was flying a Bell Jet Ranger helicopter around 7:45 a.m. over an orchard near County Roads 9 and M SW. His helicopter became tangled in bird control netting over the orchard and crashed.

Iezzoni extricated himself from the wreckage. He suffered back injuries and difficulty breathing and was taken by ambulance to Quincy Valley Medical Center. ?

Helicopter rotor wash is often used to blow water off of cherries in an effort to keep the fruit from splitting open after rainfall. ?

“I’m relieved the pilot was not seriously injured,” Sheriff Tom Jones said. “This incident certainly could have had a much worse outcome, and I wish the pilot a quick recovery.” ?

The helicopter suffered extensive damage. The FAA is investigating.