Three killed in military helicopter crash at Camp Pendleton

AP via San Diego Union Tribune ^ | January 22, 2004 | Associated Press

[calcowgirl]

CAMP PENDLETON – A UH-1 Huey helicopter crashed Thursday at this military base in North County, killing three of the four people aboard, officials said.

The helicopter crashed about 7 p.m. during a training mission, Maj. T.V. Johnson said. Four people were aboard the cargo-type aircraft, including the pilot. No other information was immediately available on the condition of the surviving crew member or the identities of those killed in the crash.

A television report said the helicopter hit power lines while doing some night-vision training.

"This certainly is a tragedy, and we hope we are able to assist the families of the victims during this time," Johnson said.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

[MEG33]

Even training is being in harms way.May their loved ones be comforted.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

We have a family friend who flys helicopters at Camp Pendleton. Sick feeling right now :-(

[calcowgirl]

I hope your friend is well.
I'll be saying a prayer for all involved.

[djreece]

Praying for the families and survivor

[Thinkin' Gal]

Four people were aboard the cargo-type aircraft, including the pilot.

Ya think? Is this person trying to suggest, that this is out of the ordinary? What do I know. Is it normal, to describe a helicopter as a "cargo-type aircraft"? That seems a little weird too.

[eastforker]

Cargo compared to a gun ship. The UH-1 is mostly cargo and passenger. Also used as a medi-vac. Used to move troops to FOA.

[TankerKC]

Time to get out of the quagmire that is Camp Pendelton!

[risk]

Whoever it was, they were friends to freedom as well.

[Sloth]

Time to get out of the quagmire that is Camp Pendelton!

That's what I was thinking. We went into Pendleton unilaterally, without a sound plan, and now it seems we have no exit strategy.

[cookcounty]

"Time to get out of the quagmire that is Camp Pendelton!

That's what I was thinking. We went into Pendleton unilaterally, without a sound plan, and now it seems we have no exit strategy.

Not to make light or minimize, but with the press so meticulously keeping track of "non-hostile" deaths in Iraq, I do keep wondering how many sevicemen and women die in non-combat situations in a typical year. Anybody have any info that could be helpful?

[CholeraJoe]

When I was active duty USAF back in the late 80's, I seem to recall that about 100 officers and airmen per year died of all causes - accidents, suicide, illness and line of duty.

[CholeraJoe]

Google is wonderful.

Mortality Trends Among Active Duty Military 1992-2001

[verity]

We went into Pendleton unilaterally, without a sound plan, and now it seems we have no exit strategy

Are you quoting mad dog Dean?

[bth517]

You stole what i was going to write.

[elcid1970]

I flew UH-1's (Hueys) in Vietnam and later. Any fatal crash is sickening, but this especially so. A wire strike was one's worst nightmare in flight; we didn't even train at night because of power lines. Didn't have night vision goggles either. My prayers for their loved ones.

[A.A. Cunningham]

The Corps uses them as gunships more so than cargo and transport. Although they are the platform of choice for Recon insert/extraction.

[Snickersnee]

How many servicemembers die on active duty during the typical year? About as many as have died to date from all causes in Iraq. Sometimes more.