United Group Insurance

Iowa helicopter lands in Neb. after problem

News

June 23rd, 2011 by Ric Hanson

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say no one was hurt when a helicopter operated by an Iowa company made a forced landing while surveying transmission lines in Nebraska. The Omaha Public Power District says the helicopter, operated by P&N of Marion, Iowa, made an unplanned landing just before 1 p.m. on Thursday due to a reported mechanical problem.

It happened about 1 1/2 miles from the Fort Calhoun nuclear power plant, which is about 20 miles north of Omaha. OPPD spokesman Jeff Hanson says the pilot and a utility company employee were on the helicopter. Neither was injured.

Hanson says the power company and other utilities are surveying the lines to look for weaknesses due to flooding on the Missouri River. Local authorities and Federal Aviation Administration have been notified.