Post date: Jan 31, 2011 11:22:3 PM
Yacht helicopter belonging to Microsoft billionaire Paul Allen crashes into frigid waters in southern Argentina, but neither Allen nor co-founder Bill Gates were onboard.
USHUAIA, ARGENTINA (JANUARY 31, 2011) REUTERS - A helicopter from the megayacht Octopus, owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, made an emergency landing on water in Argentina's far south on Monday (January 31), officials said, injuring one co-pilot.
Paul Allen's spokesman said neither billionaire Allen nor co-founder Bill Gates were on board. Gates was in New York at the time of the accident and Allen landed in Ushuaia soon after the accident.He said a co-pilot was injured and was taken to hospital.
It was not clear what caused the helicopter to come down in the frigid waters of the bay off the southern city of Ushuaia.
A photograph showed the helicopter bobbing in the water, its rotor blades twisted.
A naval official, Daniel Vera, confirmed the helicopter belonged to the Octopus saying it hit the water hard and they were investigating the cause of the accident.
Local media said the yacht was planning a trip to Antarctica.
Allen, who founded Microsoft with Gates in 1975, is one of the world's wealthiest people and a well-known philanthropist.