A lucky pilot survived after his microlight helicopter crashed in the sea off a crowded beach.
Horror footage filmed by a beach goer shows how the gyrocraft flew perilously low over the shoreline.
Moments later, it crashed in the shallow sea just yards from the sand and dangerously close to people bathing in the water.
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Sunseekers could be heard gasping in shock as the copter tilted and its rotor stopped spinning.
Two bathers could be seen running over to the half-submerged aircraft and removing the trapped pilot.
The drama happened in Minturno between Rome and Naples, Italy.
Despite the crowds on the beach at around 8pm on Thursday (22 Aug), no one was injured.
The pilot was semi-conscious when he was pulled from the damaged Magni GyroFlight M22 Voyager.
Remarkably, he only had a few scratches, as reported by Need To Know.
The cause of the crash is under investigation by the Prosecutor’s Office in nearby Cassino.
One possible explanation is that the engine lost power and forced the pilot to crash-land.
Another is that he botched an attempt to land just yards from the shoreline.
Reckless endangerment charges may be pressed against the pilot, whose name is withheld.
The Italian-made gyrocopter that crashed has a max speed of 120 mph and a service ceiling of 12,000 ft.
