Military helicopter crashes in Sichuan village

A military helicopter crashed at a site where villagers say they see such choppers regularly. [Photo/the Beijingnews]

Witnesses say a military chopper has crashed in a village in Southwest China's Sichuan province.

The M-171 is said to have been flying irregularly before crashing on top of a wall.

Reports indicate the chopper's tail hit the ground first and the propellers broke into pieces.

The irratic flight of the helicopter before the crash may indicate a mechanical problem with the craft.

Eyewitnesses say a second military chopper rushed to the site and took away four injuried people.

A fifth person onboard the crashed chopper was taken to a nearby emergency clinic by ambulance.