Chopper chopped: Helicopter falls apart on landing (VIDEO)

24 Feb, 2012 11:47 / Updated 12 years ago

Earthquake? Hurricane? Alien attack? No, this helicopter was not beset by disaster: it just crumbled into pieces on its own after landing on a cozy grass-patch in Brazil.

The people who managed to catch the spectacle on camera were no doubt as astonished as the four lucky guys inside the cabin. Fortunately enough, the occupants sustained only slight injuries. After landing the chopper began to shake and spin, and then split in half, leaving the investigators totally puzzled as to the causes. Officials believe the helicopter experienced what is known as ground resonance, a condition that can occur when the aircraft's rotor is operating while the helicopter is on the ground. The incident occurred in Brazil’s northern state of Para on Wednesday. The province is now world-renowned for choppers that disintegrate into pieces under extraordinary circumstances.