SPECIAL TO THE LEADER ———

At approximately 10:40 a.m., Thursday (Sept. 24, 2015), the Texas Department of Public Safety received a report of a helicopter crash in Tyler County.  The the helicopter went down in a field on County Line Road in Tyler County.  County Line Road is just off of Highway 190 and approximately twelve (12) miles west of Woodville, Texas.

The pilot was the only person in the helicopter at the time of the crash.  The pilot was transported from the crash scene by ambulance to be flown by medical helicopter to an area hospital.  Initial reports show that the pilot sustained back injuries and possible internal injuries; however, his injuries do not appear to be life threatening. The pilot is a 48-year-old man from Natchitoches, Louisiana.

According to the pilot, the helicopter had only been in the air for about 1-2 minutes spraying herbicides when he experienced engine problems.  The pilot was able to fly over several pine trees before crashing into a clear field.  There were no injuries or structures damaged on the ground.

State Troopers are on scene, but are awaiting a response from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  The FAA will conducts its own investigation into this helicopter crash.