After 12 Deaths in Chopper Crashes, an Army 'Stand-Down'

Aviators grounded until they undergo training, after 2 crashes in a month's time in Alaska, Kentucky
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Apr 29, 2023 5:30 AM CDT
After a Dozen Die in Chopper Crashes, Army Grounds Aviators
In this photo, AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopters fly over a mountain range near Fort Wainwright, Alaska, on June 3, 2019. The US Army says two Army helicopters similar to the ones in this picture crashed on Thursday near Healy, Alaska, killing three soldiers and injuring a fourth.   (Cameron Roxberry/US Army via AP)

The US Army has grounded aviation units for training after 12 soldiers died within the last month in helicopter crashes in Alaska and Kentucky, the military branch announced Friday. The suspension of air operations was effective immediately, with units grounded until they complete the training, said Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Terence Kelley. For active-duty units, the training is to take place between May 1 and 5. Army National Guard and Reserve units will have until May 31 to complete the training. "The move grounds all Army aviators, except those participating in critical missions, until they complete the required training," the Army said in a statement.

On Thursday, two Army helicopters collided near Healy, Alaska, killing three soldiers and injuring a fourth. The aircraft from the 1st Attack Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment at Fort Wainwright, in Fairbanks, were returning from training at the time of the crash, according to the Army. The unit is part of the 11th Airborne Division, which is nicknamed the "Arctic Angels." Military investigators were making their way to Alaska's interior, with a team from Fort Novosel, Alabama, expected to arrive at the crash site by Saturday, said US Army Alaska spokesperson John Pennell. Little new information about the crash was released Friday.

The Army on Thursday said two of the soldiers died at the site and the third on the way to a hospital in Fairbanks. The injured fourth soldier was taken to a hospital and was in stable condition Friday, Pennell said. The names of those killed weren't immediately released. The crash is the second accident involving military helicopters in Alaska this year. In February, two soldiers were injured when an Apache helicopter rolled after taking off from Talkeetna. The aircraft was one of four traveling to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage from Fort Wainwright.

story continues below

In March, nine soldiers were killed when two US Army Black Hawk medical evacuation helicopters crashed during a routine nighttime training exercise about 30 miles northeast of Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The Army said that while Thursday's crash and the one in Kentucky remain under investigation, "there is no indication of any pattern between the two mishaps." "The safety of our aviators is our top priority, and this stand-down is an important step to make certain we are doing everything possible to prevent accidents and protect our personnel," Army Chief of Staff James McConville said of the decision to ground flight units for training.

(More US Army stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X