Helicopter pilot Lachie Onslow has escaped without serious injury after his helicopter crashed into a dam while fighting fires on the far south coast.
The owner of Fleet Helicopters in Armidale has contracted his pink helicopter "Lucy" to help the NSW Rural Fire Service battle the Clyde Mountain fire.
The 47-year-old was flying the helicopter when it ditched into a dam in the Ben Boyd National Park at Edrom, in the Bega Valley Shire about 4pm on Thursday.
The aircraft remains submerged, however, Mr Onslow was able to free himself from the helicopter and make it safely onshore.
Ambulance responded to the incident but Mr Onslow managed to escape without serious injury. He was treated by paramedics for shoulder, back and ankle injuries and taken to the South East Regional Hospital in a stable condition.
Mr Onslow will return to Armidale in the next couple of days.
The reservoir the helicopter crashed in is a drinking supply for Bega Valley Shire Council. Police are investigating the incident.
HAZMAT crews said no fuel or oil had leaked from the helicopter as of 7pm Thursday. Recovery efforts were expected to begin on Friday.
Mr Onslow is known as an expert pilot, having competed in the Reno Championship Air Races.
