ROME, July 17, 2003
Fourth Chopper Crash Body Found
Navy Helicopter May Have Been On Fire Before It Crashed In Sicily
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Interactive Weapons Of War Inside The U.S. Arsenal: The U.S. has some of the most sophisticated military aircraft and weaponry in the world.
The MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter with four crew members went down Wednesday evening about 10 miles southwest of the Navy base at Sigonella in eastern Sicily. American authorities recovered three bodies, but had not found the fourth crew member.
"I can confirm that the fourth body has been found around noon and it was still in the aircraft," said Alberto Lunetta, a Sigonella spokesman.
Sigonella base spokesman Lt. Steve Curry said earlier that he had heard the helicopter was on fire before it crashed. "I heard reports that they did make a distress call," he said.
The names of those killed were being withheld while relatives were notified.
The huge Sea Dragon helicopter can carry up to 55 soldiers or up to 16 tons of cargo. Its missions include sweeping for mines at sea.
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