14 killed in chopper crash

BAGHDAD – A helicopter crashed in northern Iraq yesterday, killing all 14 US soldiers aboard, the military said.

The military said initial indications showed the aircraft experienced a mechanical problem and there were no indications of hostile fire, but the cause was still under investigation. The UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter was part of a pair on a nighttime operation when the crash occurred.The four crew members and 10 passengers aboard the aircraft perished in the crash, according to a statement.The 14 soldiers killed were assigned to Task Force Lightning, the military said.It did not release identities pending notification of relatives.It was the deadliest helicopter crash since January 20, when a Black Hawk crashed in Diyala province northeast of Baghdad, killing 12 soldiers aboard.The military said that helicopter might have been shot down by a shoulder-fired weapon.Nampa-APThe UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter was part of a pair on a nighttime operation when the crash occurred.The four crew members and 10 passengers aboard the aircraft perished in the crash, according to a statement.The 14 soldiers killed were assigned to Task Force Lightning, the military said.It did not release identities pending notification of relatives.It was the deadliest helicopter crash since January 20, when a Black Hawk crashed in Diyala province northeast of Baghdad, killing 12 soldiers aboard.The military said that helicopter might have been shot down by a shoulder-fired weapon.Nampa-AP