5 Dead After Marine Copter Crash in Iraq

[thedrifter]

5 Dead After Marine Copter Crash in Iraq

WASHINGTON - A Marine Corps transport helicopter crashed Monday in central Iraq (news - web sites) near Karbala with at least four people aboard, and there were no indications of survivors, Pentagon (news - web sites) officials said.


Another servicemember drowned while trying to rescue the crew of the downed helicopter, a Pentagon official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.


The Marine CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter crashed into a canal southeast of Karbala, the official said. Lt. Col. David Lapan, a Pentagon spokesman, said there was no indication whether or not it was downed by hostile action. Another official said it appeared to be an accident.


The Sea Knight is a workhorse helicopter used by the Navy and Marine Corps to move cargo or troops. It normally operates with a crew of four and has been in service for more than three decades.



Sempers,

Roger

[wrbones]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,87267,00.html



Marine Helicopter Crash Kills Five in Iraq







Tuesday, May 20, 2003

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Four U.S. Marines (search) on a resupply mission were killed when their helicopter crashed into a canal in central Iraq and a fifth drowned trying to save them, the U.S. military said Tuesday.





The Ch-46 Sea-Knight (search) helicopter crashed shortly after takeoff Monday afternoon in the Shat al-Hillah Canal in Hillah, about 60 miles south of Baghdad, U.S. Central Command (search) said in a statement.

Two Marines on the canal's banks jumped into the water to help, and one died trying, the military said. Iraqis and other Marines on the scene pulled those two from the water, Centcom said.

A recovery effort was under way for the others Tuesday afternoon, the military said. The cause was under investigation, though the military said it appeared to be an accident.

The victims' names were not immediately released so their families could be notified.

The Sea-Knight is a workhorse helicopter used by the Navy and Marine Corps to move cargo or troops. It normally operates with a crew of four and has been in service for more than three decades.