Helicopter crashes in Orting during tree farm work, pilot hospitalized

A helicopter crashed in the Orting area late this morning, according to responders. The lone occupant was the pilot, who sustained moderate, non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a local hospital.

Central Pierce Fire & Rescue crews were dispatched around 10:35 a.m. to the 13900 block of McCutcheon Road E. They found a helicopter in a parking lot that was leaking fuel and secured the scene for investigation.

Firefighters removed the pilot from the aircraft and contained the fuel spill while keeping the area around the crash site secured. The incident prompted a response to support safety and investigation efforts.

Initial information indicates the helicopter may have experienced an engine failure, leading to a hard landing in the parking lot. The aircraft was reportedly being used in tree harvesting operations at a nearby tree farm. The FAA and NTSB were notified, and the cause remains under investigation.