Reason for fatal helicopter crash in Western Afghanistan confirmed as accident

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AFGHANISTAN

10.27.2009

Courtesy Story

NATO Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan — U.S. military authorities have determined the reason for the helicopter crash in Badghis province yesterday as a combination of factors causing very low visibility. This crash killed seven International Security Assistance Force service members and three U.S. civilians, Oct. 26.

The crash occurred at around 3:30 a.m. when the helicopter departed the objective at night following a successful operation against the anti-Afghan forces. Thick dust, stirred up from the initial takeoff, overwhelmed the visibility of the helicopter crew. While trying to correct the aircraft's movement, it struck a tall structure, causing it to crash. Insurgents did not fire at the helicopter at any point during the departure or the crash.

Injured in the crash were 11 ISAF service members, 14 Afghan national security forces and one U.S. civilian. The injured personnel were medically evacuated to a Herat province coalition facility for treatment. The most critical of the injured were then taken Bagram Airfield treatment facility for advanced medical care.

In the hours prior to the crash, ANSF, ISAF and Drug Enforcement Agency members were conducting a mission to disrupt the arms smuggling and narcotics trafficking in the Darreh-ye Bum Village, Qades District where finances from this illegal activity provide support for the insurgency.

During the cordon and search operations of the Darreh-ye Bum bazaar, insurgents fired upon ANSF and ISAF elements, using rocket-propelled grenades, small arms fire and machine gun. ANSF and ISAF elements subdued the enemy and killed fourteen enemy fighters.

Darreh-ye Bum's bazaar was known as a major opium distribution point, generating profits that finance violent insurgent activities. The village was controlled by several anti-Afghan commanders who trained fighters with methods of attack against ANSF and ISAF elements.

No civilian causalities were reported during the operation or the crash. The names of the deceased service members will be released pending the notification of next-of-kin.

Investigations regarding the helicopter crash are currently ongoing.

• Date Taken: 10.27.2009
• Date Posted: 10.27.2009 14:42
• Story ID: 40750
• Location: BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF