TOKYO, March 14 (Xinhua) -- A private helicopter crashed soon after take off from Kobe Airport in Japan's Hyogo Prefecture, injuring two people, local media reported Tuesday.
The helicopter crashed in a training area and landed on its side, media reports said. The two people on board, both males in their 40s, were injured and taken to hospital.
The crash, which left the helicopter intact but on its side with its rotors broken, forced the airport to close.
A total of 12 ambulances and firetrucks attended the scene, but there was no fire or smoke and other flights at the time were not affected, local reports said.
According to the airport's administrative office, the helicopter belongs to a local pilot school and the helicopter was involved in a training exercise on Tuesday morning when the crash happened.
The exercise involved a drill called "touch and go" which involved the helicopter taking off and landing in succession, but during the landing phase the helicopter flipped on its side, the office said.
Two years ago a test flight of a helicopter made an emergency landing due to engine failure, with the helicopter crash-landing in an open space in a forest in Kobe City.
The transportation safety board has sent two officials to investigate the latest crash on Tuesday.
