PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. -- A small experimental helicopter crashed while taking off from the owner's backyard in Royal Ascot Estates Sunday afternoon.
The crash happened at 3:38 p.m. in the 16000 block of W. Lancashire Dr.
The pilot was the only person on board at the time of the crash, according to Palm Beach County Fire Rescue.
The man was transported to a local hospital for treatment and expected to survive.
A neighbor heard the helicopter sputtering before the crash.
"It didn't sound like it was running right, and then I went back inside. A few minutes later I heard it go up and then a big explosion," said neighbor Edward Vandames.
Family members said the man had just started flying. According to deputies, the helicopter dropped about 30 feet when it crashed.