Helicopter mechanic killed in wind-related accident.

UPDATED Thursday 1:45 p.m.

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A helicopter mechanic was killed Wednesday morning when a wind gust caused a helicopter crash behind Lombardi Ranch on Bouquet Canyon Road.

The Swanson Aviation Group helicopter was being used by subcontractors working for Edison, installing power lines in the area. As the helicopter was taking off from and area just south of the vegetable stand, a gust of wind caught the helicopter and turned it sideways.

Crews on the ground saw the helicopter in distress and started to run, but the rotor blades caught the mechanic, who was identified by Coroner Watch Commander Larry Dietz as Curtis Cauthen of Ashfork, CA. Cathen suffered fatal injuries.

The pilot received minor injuries and was treated at the scene by paramedics. The Federal Aviation Agency is investigating the crash.