LOS ANGELES (AP) A television helicopter left its Oscar hovering spot and crashed in a ball of fire Sunday night, injuring a pilot and cameraman.

The crash occurred just after 10 p.m. in a helicopter landing area at Van Nuys Airport about 15 miles northwest of the Shrine Auditorium, where the Academy Awards had finished about 30 minutes before. Steve Howell, aboard KTLA-TV's helicopter, said the KTTV helicopter pilot reported hydraulic problems as it arrived near the Shrine and the pilot decided to head toward the Van Nuys Airport under escort by KCAL-TV's helicopter.

The helicopter crashed shortly after it made its distress call.

The pilot, a 28-year-old woman, and the photographer, a 40-year-old man, were taken to Northridge Medical Center, said city fire spokesman Brian Humphrey.

The pilot was seriously hurt with a broken wrist, broken leg, possibly fractured pelvis and possible concussion. The photographer had a possible broken leg and cuts to his face, Humphrey said.

The helicopter belonged to KTTV-TV in Los Angeles, a Fox affiliate. The names of the victims were not immediately released.

KTTV anchorwoman Susan Hirasuna's voice nearly broke with emotion Sunday night as she began to report a news story after word of the crash. KTTV closed its 10 p.m. newscast with a request for prayers for the two on the aircraft.

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-- Doris (WhoTFRU@mindspring.com), March 27, 2000