Marine Chopper Crash Kills Singaporean

Two U.S. Marine helicopters collided at an airstrip in Singapore Tuesday, killing a Singaporean technician on the tarmac, the U.S. Navy said.

No casualties were reported aboard the two CH-53 Marine Corps helicopters, a Navy statement said.

The choppers' main rotors struck each other as the helicopters taxied to park at Singapore's Paya Lebar Air Base early in the afternoon, the release said.

Debris from the collision struck the Singaporean ground crewman, who was taken to a hospital, where he died.

The names of the pilots and the technician were not immediately released.

The technician, who worked for Singapore Technologies, died at 5:50 p.m. according to a statement released by Singapore's defense ministry. The ministry is investigating the incident, it said.

Singapore Technologies is a subcontractor at many military installations here, operating communications and technology systems.

U.S. military forces frequently use this island nation's airfields and naval facilities for training exercises and resupply and the two countries share generally warm relations.

U.S. ambassador to Singapore, Frank Lavin expressed regret about the incident.

"We are all saddened that a routine landing had these tragic consequences," Lavin said in a statement. "I offer my profound condolences to the family."

The Sea Stallion heavy lift choppers involved in the accident were on a transport mission from Paya Lebar to the USS Belleau Wood, a 40,000-ton helicopter carrier attached to the Seventh Fleet, the statement said.

The CH-53s are part of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit based in Southern California.

The aircraft, which carries a crew of three, can reach speeds of 195 miles per hour and has a flight ceiling of 21,000 feet. They are primarily used for transporting heavy equipment and other cargo.