Helicopter crashes, deaths reported (Afghanistan)

news.com.au ^ | 4/6/05

[leadpenny]

I'd do it like this.

AM, looks like a major crash 80 miles south of Kabul.

[monday]

"Replacing them means going with the V-22 Osprey"

Why does it mean that? New helicopters are both safe and fast.

[mystery-ak]

I think the Mods have said to hit the abuse button to contact them..

[leadpenny]

In either case, this thread has slipped off of the Front Page sidebar already.

I know the mods have gotten real strict with what goes on BN but it would seem this should be there.

[mystery-ak]

I'll try to bump it...

[mystery-ak]

btt

[mystery-ak]

another btt

[leadpenny]

bump

[mystery-ak]

ping

[leadpenny]

Sometimes the mods can just be obstinate.

I'm going to go take it out on someone in traffic or at work.

[dead]

Thanks for the ping. It's just awful news.

[mystery-ak]

LOL....drive safely..

[Phsstpok]

There is nothing in anyone's inventory (except the Russians, and I don't want to be buying from them) that can replace the CH-47 other than the V-22 at the present time.

[Phsstpok]

I didn't mention the term "hanger queens."

Where did that come from?

Is that because I mentioned that the CH-47 has had crashes?

That was not a slam of the CH-47, but meant to ridicule those who damn the V-22 because it has had crashes. I don't think there's ever been a military aircraft that didn't have crashes during testing. That's why they call it testing.

But there is a luddite chorus who want to kill the V-22 and they are using the crashes a couple of years ago as "proof" that the V-22 MUST be canceled.

And do what? Keep flying even older designs that have had more crashes?

[CheneyChick]

That dust in Afghanistan is very bad.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Last Updated: Wednesday, 6 April, 2005, 15:39 GMT 16:39 UK

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Printable version

'No survivors' in US Afghan crash

A US military helicopter has crashed in south-eastern Afghanistan killing at least nine people, four of them crew, the US military says.

The CH-47 Chinook went down in bad weather in the province of Ghazni, spokeswoman Lt Cindy Moore told the Associated Press news agency.

Lt Moore said it appeared that there were no survivors.

US forces have suffered a number of fatal air accidents in Afghanistan since ousting the Taleban in 2001.

The helicopter was one of two Chinooks flying to the main US base at Bagram, north of Kabul, from a routine mission in southern Afghanistan.

"Indications are it was bad weather and that there were no survivors," Lt Moore said.

CHINOOK CH-47 Twin-engined aircraft with two, three-bladed rotors Used to move soldiers, weapons and supplies Can carry 54 troops or 25,000 lbs (11,340 kg) of freight - more than its own weight Crew of four Fact file: Chinook

It was the worst air crash suffered by US forces in Afghanistan since they toppled the Taleban at the end of 2001, she added.

The seven previous accidents claimed 21 lives.

The identity of the passengers killed on Wednesday is still unclear. The second helicopter arrived safely at Bagram airfield.

Ghazni governor Assadullah Khalid told Reuters news agency that local officials had recovered two bodies from the crash site.

"We recovered two American soldiers' bodies and now American forces are in control of the situation. The chopper was burning when we were there," he said.

Helicopters from the Bagram base have been used as part of a US offensive against suspected al-Qaeda and Taleban members in remote areas of the country.

[armymarinemom]

Prayers going out to the families.

[balrog666]

But there is a luddite chorus who want to kill the V-22 and they are using the crashes a couple of years ago as "proof" that the V-22 MUST be canceled.

Spin, spin, spin.

[monday]

I thought the CH-47 was a heavy lift aircraft while the V-22 was medium lift designed to replace helicopters like the Pave Low and Sea Knight?

This link shows upgrades to the CH-47 that make it essentially a new machine.

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/h-47.htm

Also, I thought the V-22 was scheduled to enter limited service in 2006? Most are going to the Navy with a few to the Air Force, so I doubt there would be many in Afghanistan or Iraq even if it were in service already.

[MEG33]

Prayers for those aboard and their families.