The Australian Navy has begun an air and sea search for a soldier missing off the coast of Fiji after the crash of an Army Sikorsky S-70A-9 Black Hawk attempting to land on a helicopter-capable amphibious transport ship.
One soldier is dead and another missing after the Black Hawk crashed while trying to land on HMAS Kanimbla, the country's defence minister has confirmed.
"An Australian Army Black Hawk helicopter was attempting to land on the deck of HMAS Kanimbla when the accident occurred and was lost into the sea late this afternoon," Air Chief Marshal Houston says in a statement. The helicopter was conducting a training flight, he continues.
The S-70 was carrying 10 personnel, of which nine were recovered from the crash, one remians missing at sea. Seven soldiers were treated for minor injuries onboard HMAS Kanimbla, with one later dying from injuries. Six of the passengers were from the special forces Special Air Service Regiment.
The defence ministry says the Black Hawk sank soon after hitting the Kanimbla. "Further details of the accident will be released as soon as they are available," he says.
A long range escort ship, HMAS Newcastle, is continuing to search the scene for the remaining soldier, Houston says.
The Australian navy is preparing to avacuate Australian citizens in the event of awidely-expected coup d'état in the Pacific island nation of Fiji, where growing ethnic and political tensions have erupted recently.
Australian Army Aviation operates 35 S-70A-9s.
One soldier is dead and another missing after the Black Hawk crashed while trying to land on HMAS Kanimbla, the country's defence minister has confirmed.
"An Australian Army Black Hawk helicopter was attempting to land on the deck of HMAS Kanimbla when the accident occurred and was lost into the sea late this afternoon," Air Chief Marshal Houston says in a statement. The helicopter was conducting a training flight, he continues.
The S-70 was carrying 10 personnel, of which nine were recovered from the crash, one remians missing at sea. Seven soldiers were treated for minor injuries onboard HMAS Kanimbla, with one later dying from injuries. Six of the passengers were from the special forces Special Air Service Regiment.
The defence ministry says the Black Hawk sank soon after hitting the Kanimbla. "Further details of the accident will be released as soon as they are available," he says.
A long range escort ship, HMAS Newcastle, is continuing to search the scene for the remaining soldier, Houston says.
The Australian navy is preparing to avacuate Australian citizens in the event of awidely-expected coup d'état in the Pacific island nation of Fiji, where growing ethnic and political tensions have erupted recently.
Australian Army Aviation operates 35 S-70A-9s.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
