Post by Admin on Nov 15, 2004 10:09:39 GMT -6
Four hurt in Army helicopter crash
Julie Stavitski / Daily Progress staff writer
October 28, 2004
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SLIDERS - An Army pilot was in critical condition Thursday after a Blackhawk helicopter crashed in Buckingham County during night-vision exercises. Military officials declined to speculate on the cause of the crash.
The accident occurred on Route 636, just north of the Buckingham-Appomattox line, around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, said Lt. Joe Raider of the Virginia State Police.
According to the 82nd Airborne Division, headquartered at Fort Bragg, N.C., two helicopters from the division were conducting routine cross-country multi-ship night training when they encountered difficulties. One helicopter crashed, while the other recovered and returned to Simmons Army Airfield at Fort Bragg.
Officials at Fort Bragg said Thursday that the helicopters did not collide, but declined to provide other details, citing an ongoing investigation, according to the Fayetteville Observer.
The injured pilot was taken to the University of Virginia Medical Center. Three other soldiers aboard were treated on-site for minor injuries and taken to South Side Emergency Room in Farmville for further evaluation.
There were seven people on board, officials said.
The pilots flying the helicopter were all experienced: The co-pilots had flown in Iraq, while the pilot had flown in Afghanistan, the Fort Bragg officials said.
"Our pilots are very proficient using [night vision] goggles," Col. Perry Wiggins said.
A state police spokesman said the crash site was secure and officials from the 82nd Airborne Safety Office were arriving.
The XVIII Airborne Corps and Army Safety Center will assist in the investigation.
Calvin Deane, a Buckingham resident who lives near the crash site, said his 13-year-old stepdaughter heard a large boom about the time of the crash.
"I went outside and combed the fields," Deane said, but found nothing.
Julie Stavitski / Daily Progress staff writer
October 28, 2004
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SLIDERS - An Army pilot was in critical condition Thursday after a Blackhawk helicopter crashed in Buckingham County during night-vision exercises. Military officials declined to speculate on the cause of the crash.
The accident occurred on Route 636, just north of the Buckingham-Appomattox line, around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, said Lt. Joe Raider of the Virginia State Police.
According to the 82nd Airborne Division, headquartered at Fort Bragg, N.C., two helicopters from the division were conducting routine cross-country multi-ship night training when they encountered difficulties. One helicopter crashed, while the other recovered and returned to Simmons Army Airfield at Fort Bragg.
Officials at Fort Bragg said Thursday that the helicopters did not collide, but declined to provide other details, citing an ongoing investigation, according to the Fayetteville Observer.
The injured pilot was taken to the University of Virginia Medical Center. Three other soldiers aboard were treated on-site for minor injuries and taken to South Side Emergency Room in Farmville for further evaluation.
There were seven people on board, officials said.
The pilots flying the helicopter were all experienced: The co-pilots had flown in Iraq, while the pilot had flown in Afghanistan, the Fort Bragg officials said.
"Our pilots are very proficient using [night vision] goggles," Col. Perry Wiggins said.
A state police spokesman said the crash site was secure and officials from the 82nd Airborne Safety Office were arriving.
The XVIII Airborne Corps and Army Safety Center will assist in the investigation.
Calvin Deane, a Buckingham resident who lives near the crash site, said his 13-year-old stepdaughter heard a large boom about the time of the crash.
"I went outside and combed the fields," Deane said, but found nothing.