U.S. Soldiers Injured in Afghan Helicopter Crash

Reuters | 1/28/02

[kattracks]

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (Reuters) - A U.S. military helicopter carrying 24 people crashed as it tried to land in rough terrain in northern Afghanistan after leaving Kandahar late on Monday, a U.S. military official said on Tuesday.

U.S. Army Colonel Frank Wiercianski told reporters at Kandahar airport in southern Afghanistan that all 24 people on board the Chinook CH-47 helicopter had been evacuated and 14 of them had been sent for medical treatment.

No one was killed and none of the injuries sustained were life-threatening, he said.

"I'm very relieved to report that 100 percent of all personnel were evacuated from that site and were taken to a medical facility," he said.

He declined to say where the accident happened, as the night operation was still under way. There were 18 passengers and six crew on board. Wiercianski did not say how many of the 24 were U.S. troops.

"None of the injuries sustained were life-threatening and hopefully all will be back on duty very soon," he said.

Wiercianski said the aircraft hit a hole when it landed and tipped on its side.

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[classygreeneyedblonde]

Thank God

[pubmom]

Amen.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Hey, you can't fool me. That ain't god. Thats a cat.

[demkicker]

It's ridiculous that we're having so many helicopter crashes. If they're not being shot down, what's the damn problem? Eight years of no new parts for maintenance during the Clinton abomination?

[kattracks]

Eight years of no new parts for maintenance during the Clinton abomination?

Probably. It's going to take us a long time to recover from all the damage he clintons have inflicted on this country, including this.

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

Even well maintained helicopters don't respond well to landing in a hole.

[classygreeneyedblonde]

lolololol

[Grampa Dave]

Part of the problem is the lack of maintenance and parts for 8 years.

However, this copter was apparently part of a troop movement that happened late in the day or at night. It was landing in rough country not on a landing pad.

If your helicopter lands on the edge of a hole or in a hole, things go KaBoom!

[dalebert]

Bless them.

[Dustoff45]

I agree. I was just one of many helicopter pilots in 'Nam, and I wrecked several choppers. No injuries. No News.

But again I also know of several crashes that resulted in death that never made the news.

The media seems to be wanting to show that things are not going well at times.

Those pilots are encountering high altitudes, and the lack of performance at altitude can really bite you. You have to be way ahead of what is happening as responses slow way down.

[Dustoff45]

I agree. I was just one of many helicopter pilots in 'Nam, and I wrecked several choppers. No injuries. No News.

But again I also know of several crashes that resulted in death that never made the news.

The media seems to be wanting to show that things are not going well at times.

Those pilots are encountering high altitudes, and the lack of performance at altitude can really bite you. You have to be way ahead of what is happening as responses slow way down.

[Grampa Dave]

Glad that you walked away from those different landings.

You are right about the media, and I had not even considered the high altitude and the slowness of response if any on some approaches.

Thanks for sharing your expertise with us!

[CIB-173RDABN]

Air Assault had not been invented when I was in Viet Nam (65-66), or I should say it was being invented while I was there.

While I was in the 101st Airborne, I had made a few jumps from a helicopter, but was never trained in exiting one, especially under fire. Once I got to Viet Nam, there was little time for training, and I can remember the first time I hit a hot LZ and the copter barely slowed down as we began jumping out a few feet above ground, getting our bearings and moving into the tree line.

I understand they have an Air Assault school now where they train for that sort of thing now, but I suspect even with training it is not easy.

Even when everything goes right, people get injured. It is a rough business.

[pgkdan]

Does anyone still believe that all of these helicopters are just crashing. For goodness sake, if that were true we'd have the worst helicopter pilot corps in the world, and I know that's not the case. The Navy and Marines fly helicopters in my area quite often with nary a problem...then again, nobody's shooting at them here either.

[pgkdan]

I agree. I was just one of many helicopter pilots in 'Nam, and I wrecked several choppers. No injuries. No News.

I'll accept that and concede to your experience.

[Tennessee_Bob]

Glad to hear they're all ok (considering the alternative).

[Tennessee_Bob]

I always kind of imagined Him to be a little bit different from that. How'd you get the picture??

[RoseofTexas]

THANK YOU JESUS!!

[Future Snake Eater]

I understand they have an Air Assault school now where they train for that sort of thing now, but I suspect even with training it is not easy.

Roger that. Air Assault school is at Ft. Campbell with the 101st. My hard core ROTC buddy just went over there this past summer. It's a pretty demanding 12 days, but, apparently, the actual rappeling from choppers training is only the last three days of the school. The rest of the time they teach sling loads and knots while doing lots and lots of PT and road marches.