Pilot lands safely after bird crashes through windshield

KENDALL, Fla. (WSVN) -- A mid-air scare occurred in the sky as a police chopper collided with another high-flying object.

It was a wild day in the sky when a Miami-Dade Police helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing. Police said a large bird flew into the windshield and smashed the glass. The windshield of the chopper was completely blown out while in mid-air.

The pilot, with cuts on his face from broken glass, made an emergency landing just off the Florida Turnpike, near Southwest 120th Street. SkyForce HD flew over the helicopter moments after touchdown.

The pilot was taken to Baptist Hospital in stable condition and is expected to be just fine. The bird, on the other hand, left the scene in a bag. It did not survive the accident.

Officials believe the chopper will at least need a new windshield before flying again. But the pilot is credited for landing the aircraft safely despite his injuries.

He has since checked out of Baptist Hospital and is expected to be OK.

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