Two people were transported to a local hospital after the gyrocopter they were riding in crashed Saturday near a private airfield between Bonney Lake and Buckley.

The husband and wife from Maple Valley were taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup, reported the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department. The wife was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

The sheriff’s department reported witnesses told investigators the two-seat gyrocopter was hovering about 50 feet above the private airport when the shadow from a passing aircraft overhead “spooked” the pilot and caused it to dive toward the ground.

The aircraft was performing at a private airshow near 242nd Avenue East and 112 Street East.

The copter’s blades hit the ground and caused it to flip on the ground, said Russ McCallion, assistant chief for East Piece Fire and Rescue.

The sheriff’s department reported the Federal Aviation Administration took over the investigation of the crash.

Emergency units from Auburn, Buckley and Orting assisted East Piece Fire and Rescue at the scene.

Reach Dannie Oliveaux at doliveaux@courierherald.com or 360-802-8209.

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