A man in his 40s was hospitalized with minor injuries this afternoon after he crashed his helicopter during training operations at Long Beach Airport, according to the Long Beach Fire Department.

The incident was reported at 1:09PM, said LBFD spokesman Jake Heflin.

The man, identified as a student pilot, experienced an incident during the training that resulted in the R-22 helicopter crashing and sustaining substantial damage, Heflin said.

He was the sole occupant of the helicopter while his instructor was outside observing him, Heflin added.

Stephanie Rivera is the community engagement editor. Reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter at @StephRivera88.