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Man killed by helicopter in accident at airport in Brooksville

Posted at 5:28 PM, Jan 10, 2019
and last updated 2019-01-10 23:15:33-05

BROOKSVILLE, Fla. — A death investigation is underway in Hernando County, Florida after a person was killed in an accident involving a helicopter at Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport.

According to Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis, they received a call for help around 3:35 p.m. on Thursday.

The FAA says the person was on the ground performing maintenance on the helicopter when they were struck. The person who called it in said he and another person were using a power cart to jumpstart a helicopter when for an unknown reason, the helicopter suddenly jerked up then came down.

When deputies arrived, they found a person dead near a hanger on airport property located along Flight Path Drive in Brooksville.

The man who was killed was identified as Salvatore Disi, 62. Investigators are in the process of notifying next of kin.

Nienhuis said they are contacting the FAA and NTSB to see whether they will take over the investigation.

Story developing, refresh for updates.