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LAPD Pilot Lands Chopper In Home Depot Parking Lot

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — A warning light in the cockpit of a Los Angeles police helicopter prompted the pilot to make a precautionary landing in a Home Depot parking lot.

Sgt. Mike Daly said the helicopter landed near Western and Slauson avenues about 2 a.m. Sunday. The two officers onboard were not injured.

The officer piloting the Bell Jet Ranger landed as soon as was practical after the "chip light" went on, Daly said.

The helicopter was expected to remain in the parking lot until a mechanic could check it out. If it cannot be flown, it will be trucked to the LAPD's air base.

A "chip light" is a magnetic plug in the helicopter's oil pan, transmission and tail-rotor gearbox that attracts tiny pieces of metal that could damage the engine, Daly said.

Daly said the LAPD requires pilots to land and have the helicopter checked out whenever a warning light comes on.

(©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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