Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

RAF Chinook helicopter makes emergency landing in US

 

Tom Lawrence
Sunday 08 April 2012 03:31 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

An RAF Chinook helicopter has made an emergency landing during military exercises in the United States, the Ministry of Defence said today.

The aircraft touched down in a remote, unpopulated area of the southern US at around 7.30pm BST yesterday.

None of the Chinook's crew is believed to be injured and an investigation into the emergency landing has been launched.

An MoD spokesman said: "We can confirm that an RAF Chinook helicopter made an emergency landing during military exercises in the southern US yesterday. The incident is under investigation."

It is not yet known what damage, if any, the military helicopter sustained.

The Chinook came down in the Arizona desert near Yuma after suffering a "mishap" during a landing exercise, according to AP news agency.

The agency quoted military spokeswoman Michelle Dee, who said the crew was practising how to land the aircraft 15 miles north-east of Yuma when "something went wrong."

She added that the seven people onboard the Chinook sustained minor injuries and were sent to hospital as a precautionary measure.

The aircraft was damaged in the landing but it is not known how badly, she said.

It is believed the RAF craft was operating out of the Naval Air Facility El Centro in California's Imperial Valley, which hosts allied troops throughout the year.

The mountainous area has a similar environment to those faced by troops in Afghanistan.

The RAF operates the largest fleet of Chinook Support Helicopters after the US Army, with a total of 34 HC2s, 6 HC2As and 8 HC3s.

It describes the aircraft as "a very capable and versatile support helicopter that can be operated in many diverse environments ranging from cold weather 'arctic' conditions to desert warfare operations".

PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in