Pennsylvania

β€˜It's a miracle': Medical helicopter makes emergency landing on yard of Pa. home

A little over 24 hours after a PennSTAR medical helicopter made an emergency landing on the front yard of a home in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, on Monday, it was removed by crews.

NBC Universal, Inc.

A medical helicopter made an emergency landing in the front yard of a home in Montgomery County on Monday, officials said.

This all unfolded around 7:45 p.m. on May 19, 2025, when a PennSTAR medical helicopter made the emergency landing at a residential property in Whitemarsh Township, according to a Penn Medicine spokesperson. The helicopter was being operated by Metro Aviation.

Stream Philadelphia News for free, 24/7, wherever you are with NBC10.

Watch button  WATCH HERE

"It really sounded like a helicopter was coming down in the movies," one neighbor said.

Three crewmembers were on board at the time of the landing, the spokesperson explained. Each was checked out at the hospital, but appeared to have escaped without serious injury.

Wawa Welcome America newsletter: your guide to 16 days of free events celebrating freedom and liberty.

Newsletter button  SIGN UP

The helicopter was traveling from Philadelphia back to its base at Wings Field, Whitemarsh Township Police Chief Christopher Ward said.

No one on the ground, no homes and no cars were struck, officials said.

"We got very lucky tonight, it's a miracle," Ward said. "The pilot did an amazing job, from all accounts. As out of control as it was, he controlled it into an area and was able to put it down without striking – luckily for us – any homes, any vehicles or any people."

Philadelphia's SkyForce10 was over the scene around 8 p.m. on May 19 where the blue and white-colored PennSTAR helicopter could be seen half in the grass and half on someone's driveway.

The helicopter had logos for both the University of Pennsylvania and Reading Health System.

Several people wearing all red-colored uniforms were visible inside red police tape on the front yard with first responders standing nearby.

The FAA arrived late Monday night and took over the investigation along with the NTSB, according to Chief Ward.

The helicopter stayed on the home's front lawn until it was removed by crews around 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20.

"It's crazy to see that happen in my neighborhood. It's pretty surreal," neighbor Frances Ford said.

Several neighbors saw when a medical helicopter made an emergency landing on the front lawn of a home in Fort Washington, Montgomery County, on Monday evening. NBC10's Aaron Baskerville has the latest.Β 

According to Montgomery County officials, no one was hurt.

"We are incredibly grateful that all individuals on board walked away without serious injury. We are especially proud of our pilot for his professionalism and skill in executing a safe landing under challenging circumstances. An investigation is underway, and we are fully cooperating with the FAA and NTSB to determine the cause," a spokesperson with Metro Aviation wrote in a statement.

One neighbor, 16-year-old Aubrey Sheehan, said that she was surprised when the back rotor of the helicopter landed in her back yard while she had a front row seat to the incident.

"Out of nowhere, there was this loud sound," Sheehan said. "It was shocking."

If you believe you have found anything that may have come from the helicopter, officials are urging you not to touch it. Please call 911 right away and let them know where the piece is.

Contact Us