Department of Defence Media Mail List
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MSPA 039/09 Wednesday, 11 February 2009

Australian Army Helicopter Damaged

An Australian Army Black Hawk helicopter sustained damage to its tail shaft during the conduct of a night flying training mission in East Timor on Monday, 9 Feb 2009.

No one was injured as a result of the incident but the tail shaft was badly damaged.

The helicopter was landing at its International Stabilisation Force (ISF) base at Dili Airport when the incident occurred. The aircraft was operating in good weather conditions at the time of the incident.

The reason for the heavy landing is not yet known but is currently under investigation.

The International Stabilisation Force (ISF) operates three S70 aircraft in East Timor. These aircraft provide an aero-medical evacuation and troop transport capability to the ISF and the United Nations.

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