| From: | Paul J. Adam ShadowTK@********.demon.co.uk |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Army News |
| Date: | Thu, 21 Sep 2000 21:56:13 +0100 |
+++++begin news article
EIGHT DEAD, FOURTEEN WOUNDED IN ARMY HELICOPTER CRASH
The Pentagon has confirmed that an MH-97 Dragon helicopter crashed early
this morning, during an exercise in the Lake Huron Training Area. Of the
thirty-four soldiers and two pilots aboard, eight were killed in the
crash and its fiery aftermath; and nineteen wounded to varying degrees
of severity. Their names are being witheld until the next of kin are
informed.
According to preliminary reports, the aircraft was returning to base
after training for covert night operations, and the crash occured as it
landed shortly after dawn. The helicopter apparently crashed onto its
landing pad, exploding into flames.
"Night and day helicopter flying are very different matters." stated Al
Egelsone, an associate editor of Aviation Weekly. "A pilot who's spent
two hours flying in darkness, on instruments and infrared, can become
severely disoriented when suddenly switching to the naked eye and flying
in daylight. That's one possible cause. Another, is mechanical
malfunction of the aircraft, and there are many other possible reasons
for this terrible accident. Basically, until the accident board reports
there's little value in speculating which of the possibilities might
actually be the cause."
Ares Aircraft spokesmen likewise refused to comment on possible causes
of the accident. "The Ares Dragon has established a superb reputation
for reliability in the hands of its many users worldwide, but we will
not jump to any conclusions until the UCAS Army complete their
investigation: and, of course, Ares Aircraft will co-operate fully in
determining the cause and identifying solutions to prevent such a
tragedy from happening again."
This is not the first time the Ares Dragon has been involved in fatal
crashes, though in its widespread use in UCAS military hands as a troop
transport and cargo helicopter its accident rate has been lower than its
predecessors. Statistically, it is a very safe and reliable aircraft:
however, its large capacity for passengers or cargo has meant that when
incidents occur, they take a heavy toll.
+++++end video
It's not usual because normally, when the Army loses an aircraft and a
bunch of soldiers, they release names fast, and at least say which unit
it belonged to. This means the helo was Delta or 160th or one of the
other weird special-forces outfits.
You don't usually get speculation as to the cause of the loss unless
there's something sort of screwy. Usually when they lose an aircraft
it's power lines, or the rotors falling off, or some other clear obvious
cause. It's not exactly suspicious that they aren't saying what the
problem was, but it's unusual.
Something's... sort of wrong. I just don't know what.]<<<<<
-- Bungle <21:56:43/09-21-61>
