Helicopter crashes in Arizona desert; no word on 2 aboard

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Authorities say a helicopter has crashed in a desert area near Phoenix and there is no immediate word on the condition of the two people aboard. Federal Aviation Administration officials say the Robinson R22 helicopter went down around 9:15 a.m. Monday some 4 ½ miles north of the Falcon Field Airport in Mesa and on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. Aerial video of the crash site shows a heavily damaged helicopter with smoke coming out the scattered debris. FAA officials have not released any information on the pilot and passenger or the helicopter’s flight plan. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the cause of the crash.