Customs helicopter makes hard landing, pilot uninjured

The pilot of a U.S. Customs and Border Protection helicopter was not hurt after a hard landing east of Bisbee, according to the U.S. Border Patrol.

The pilot walked away from the aircraft, according to the CBP, but was taken to a hospital to be checked out. The pilot was the only one onboard at the time.

The CBP issued a statement about the incident:

"While on patrol around approximately 4 p.m. local time, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection AS-350 “A-Star” helicopter from the Tucson Air Branch made an emergency landing near the Gravel Pit area south of the Remax Foothills east of Bisbee.

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Although able to walk to a responding vehicle, the pilot was transported to a medical facility for evaluation. There are no other injuries or fatalities reported.

The National Transportation Safety Board and CBP are investigating the cause of the emergency landing."

CBP's Office of Air and Marine uses Blackhawk helicopters for various Border Patrol operations, such as rescuing immigrants who are lost in the desert. They also are used to arrest suspected smugglers who are in remote areas.