Four killed in Army chopper crash in Afghanistan
From Mike Mount
CNN Washington Bureau
BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan (CNN) -- All four U.S. military personnel aboard a U.S. Army Special Operations helicopter were killed when it crashed during a routine training mission in Afghanistan Thursday, the U.S. Central Command said.
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| CASUALTIES |
• Thursday's crash was deadliest day for U.S. military in Afghanistan since March 4, 2002, when seven soldiers killed, 11 wounded in offensive against Taliban and al Qaeda remnant forces.
• Since October 2001, at least five U.S. helicopters crashed or hard landed in Afghanistan, killing two Army Rangers and two Marines and injuring at least 11 other troops.
• Last American killed: Sgt. Steven Checo, 22, of the Army's 82nd Airborne, was shot December 21, 2002, while on a nighttime operation near Pakistan border.
Source: The Associated Press
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Officials called the crash an apparent accident.
"At this time this incident does not appear to be related to hostile action," said Jim Wilkinson, director of strategic communications at Central Command headquarters in Tampa, Florida.
Officials did not release the names of the victims or their unit.
The U.S. Army helicopter crashed about 10 kilometers (6 miles) east of Bagram Air Base while on a routine training mission in an area known as the East Training Range.
The Associated Press reports one of its correspondents attempted to reach the scene, but was turned back by Afghan security.
The helicopter, an MH-60 Special Operations chopper -- known as a Pavehawk -- carried only the crew of four and no additional passengers.
The helicopter crew is made up of a pilot, a co-pilot and two crew chiefs.
Copyright 2003 CNN. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
