8 U.S. Troops Killed In Afghan Crash

Military: Chinook Helicopter Reported Engine Problems Before Going Down

(CBS/AP)  After radioing in an unexplained loss of power and engine failure, a military helicopter crashed early Sunday in southeastern Afghanistan, killing eight U.S. service members. Fourteen survived with injuries.

Officials immediately ruled out enemy fire as a cause of the crash, which left charred wreckage of the twin-rotor Chinook scattered on a dusty, open plain in Zabul province, just 50 yards from the main Kabul-Kandahar highway.

This area of southern Afghanistan is one were Taliban fighters are known to be active and the Chinook workhorses are often used to transport troops around the rough terrain, reports CBS News foreign correspondent Mark Phillips. But U.S. military spokesmen won't say whether the soldiers who died today were on a combat mission.

There were no immediate claims of responsibility for any attack on the chopper, which went down under overcast skies in a region where Taliban militants are active.

It was the deadliest single incident this year for the 47,000 U.S.-led coalition and NATO forces in Afghanistan.

The helicopter was carrying 22 U.S. service members when it had a "sudden, unexplained loss of power and control and crashed," U.S. military spokesman Lt. Col. David Accetta told The Associated Press, adding the cause would be investigated.

"It was not enemy-fire related," said Col. Tom Collins, spokesman for NATO's International Security Assistance Force. "The pilot was able to radio in that he was having engine problems. We're confident it was not due to enemy action."

Seven U.S. Humvees and three Afghan military vehicles parked around the crash site. About 35 American soldiers and 15 Afghan army soldiers blocked reporters from entering the area. Afghan troops searched every passing vehicle and their passengers.

Zabul provincial Gov. Dilber Jan Arman said it was possible that the helicopter crash was due to bad weather.

A U.S. military statement said details of the crash or the helicopter's mission would not be released until "completion of recovery operations."

Afghanistan is a war being fought in Iraq's shadow, reports Phillips, but it is becoming deadlier and U.S. and NATO commanders here fear the Taliban have been quietly building up over this winter, preparing for a renewed offensive in the spring.

Zabul province has long been a hotbed for militant supporters of the former Taliban regime who have stepped up attacks over the past year.

In May 2006, another U.S. CH-47 Chinook crashed attempting a nighttime landing on a small mountaintop in eastern Kunar province, killing 10 U.S. soldiers.

In 2005, a U.S. helicopter crashed in Kunar, after apparently being hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, killing 16 American troops.

Another crash of a civilian helicopter last year in southeastern Khost province killed up to 16 people, including the wife and two daughters of a U.S. civilian worker.

[thgdriver]

How awful, damR junk that should have been retired long ago. Clinton striped our military to the bone it's all his fault. That womanizing basta$d.

We must put it in perspective, how many folks were killed on our highways today??

[jn122736]

%u201CHad Clinton accepted the Sudanese offer of Bin Laden, 9/11 would not have occurred. HIS mess was to Bush to clean up!%u201D

Posted by mbcsmith at 03:56 PM : Feb 19, 2007


They would have gotten someone else to do it. They could never have gotten congress%u2019s go ahead to invade Iraq without 911, or something like it.

[mbcsmith]

Yeah liberman, let's fight a war that was never designed to be won-- especially when you let the main force opposing you go free to fight another day like we did at the start of this war-- great leadership that allowed Bin Laden to go free too - probably not a coincidence - instead they catch a bunch of losers and hide 'em down in Cuba.

I don't think you could subdue three or four counties in the US with the size of the force in Afganistan. Of course the British established a precendent for losing there a century ago. Our great commander in chief's war experience was a few months hiding in the Air National Guard in Alabama working on reublican campaigns. Sure I want to let him lead me into battle.
Posted by talkingham at 12:32 PM : Feb 19, 2007

Had Clinton accepted the Sudanese offer of Bin Laden, 9/11 would not have occurred. HIS mess was to Bush to clean up!

[gladys_over]

RE: "Of course Osama will WANT Gladys to be his concubine, and she'd probably accept, the ol' hag.
Tee Hee." -- Lieberman181

Your surge of humor is about as effective as THE BUSH SURGE in Baghdad.

Weren't you declaring VICTORY the other day ?

I told you it was too soon to pop open the champagne bottles.

You should have listened.

[bluestardad]

GUYS YOU GOTTA READ THIS!

http://www.aipac.org/forms/join_aipacClubs.htm


The Elite Minyan group - you mean for a minimum of only $100,000 dollars
a year I too can shape world policy? Tell me more!

I especially like the bit about enjoying "the exclusivity you deserve."

This thing borders on parody, but alas, unfortunately it is all too real.

[drinuk]

You know far too much Lieberman, definately in that Republican off of mis-information and dont go linking me with those people, you'll get me thrown out of the BNP.

[talkingham]

Yeah liberman, let's fight a war that was never designed to be won-- especially when you let the main force opposing you go free to fight another day like we did at the start of this war-- great leadership that allowed Bin Laden to go free too - probably not a coincidence - instead they catch a bunch of losers and hide 'em down in Cuba.

I don't think you could subdue three or four counties in the US with the size of the force in Afganistan. Of course the British established a precendent for losing there a century ago. Our great commander in chief's war experience was a few months hiding in the Air National Guard in Alabama working on reublican campaigns. Sure I want to let him lead me into battle.

[lieberman181]

Tony Blair is looking for you DR. Unless you too busy marching with Abu Hamza or goosestepping with Galloway you'd better heed his call - you're wanted in Afghanistan, little neo-Nazi bozo.

Of course you'd have to fight your friends, but that wouldn't be much of a stretch for a Gallowayite like yourself, would it.

[drinuk]

lieberman....have they let you out again, you're supposed to be in your cell right now. AND how come you're typing, Put that straight jacket on now and take your medication

[lieberman181]

Of course Osama will WANT Gladys to be his concubine, and she'd probably accept, the ol' hag.

Tee Hee.