State Patrol helicopter damaged in hard landing during training exercise

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating after a Minnesota State Patrol helicopter made what is being described as a "hard landing."

The helicopter was conducting a training exercise Monday afternoon at the National Guard facility in Arden Hills when the incident happened, said Lt. Tiffani Nielson of the State Patrol.

Few details about the helicopter or the exercise have been released. The pilot was the only person on board at the time. He was taken to Regions Hospital in St. Paul as a precaution and released, Nielson said.

The helicopter did sustain damage, and on Tuesday it was moved to a secure location for further examination, said NTSB spokesman Keith Holloway.

As authorities continue to investigate, Holloway said it's possible the Federal Aviation Administration will interview the pilot this week to learn more about what happened.