Helicopter crashes on highway

An aerial tour company helicopter crashed Thursday near Highway 385 and Crazy Horse Memorial. The crash happened sometime before 9:45 a.m., between Black Hills Aerial Adventures’ helipad and Crazy Horse. Black Hills Aerial Adventure’s owner Mike Jacob says there were three company crewmembers on the helicopter which was on a flight to train a new pilot. There were only minor injuries reported. Jacob says the Bell 47 helicopter lost power and the pilot made an emergency landing on the road near the company’s helipad on Highway 16/385. A van on the highway was struck by the helicopters tail causing damage to the vehicle but no one in the van was injured. The Federal Aviation Administration authorized the company to remove the helicopter from the side of the road.