A Dutch air force Boeing AH-64D Apache attack helicopter crashed 20km (11nm) north of the Afghan capital Kabul during a regular patrol on 29 August, injuring one of its crew members. An investigation has been launched to establish the cause of the crash, although enemy action has been ruled out.
A combat search-and-rescue operation was launched from Bagram airbase, with the downed crew later transferred to the base. A second Dutch Apache accompanied the rescue aircraft to the site before returning to its base at Kabul international airport.
The crashed Apache was part of a 12-month detachment of six aircraft stationed in Afghanistan until March 2005, along with135 personnel.
Source: Flight International
