Associated Press
SIGONELLA, Sicily — A Navy helicopter was severely damaged Thursday after what the Navy said was a “hard landing” during a training flight. There were no major injuries to the crew.
A statement from Sigonella Naval Air Station, Italy, said the mishap occurred just after the MH-53 E transport helicopter took off.
The chopper sustained “significant” damage after it made a hard landing but “there were no significant injuries to crew members,” the statement said.
It said Italian and U.S. firefighters, as well as medical personnel responded.
The statement didn’t say how many people were on board the helicopter or provide further details. Officials said the base’s spokesman was unavailable late Thursday for further comment.
The MH-53E, which is built by the Sikorsky company, can carry up to 55 troops or a payload of 16 tons over 50 nautical miles. It normally carries a crew of two pilots and one to five additional crew members depending on the mission, the statement said.
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