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CNN Live Sunday

Helicopter Crash in Afghanistan Kills Two Marines

Aired January 20, 2002 - 15:32   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: The Pentagon is investigating yet another deadly helicopter crash in Afghanistan. A superstallion helicopter went down moments after taking off from Bagram Air Base today. Two Marines were killed, several others were injured. CNN's Michael Holmes brings us the latest now from Kabul.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): The CH-53e superstallion helicopter was one of two that took off from the Bagram Air Base at about 8:00 a.m. local time, bound to give supplies to troops operating in the north of the country. On board, seven Marines when the helicopter crashed in mountainous territory, about 60 kilometers, or 40 miles, south of Bagram. That's just south of the capital city, Kabul.

Now, of the seven Marines, two were killed, five were injured. Of those, two critical, two serious, and one said to have minor injuries. Despite this crash happening in mountainous territory, a rescue helicopter was able to put down at the crash site and med-evac out the injured and bring the dead back to the Bagram Air Base. There, they were treated in a very well-equipped medical hospital there at the Bagram Air Base. They were stabilize and put on board a C-130 transport plane, which took them to another medical facility within Afghanistan, we're told.

Now, within hours, military spokesmen were saying they had no evidence of any hostile fire being involved in this crash, and then the U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, speaking on U.S. television, said it appeared that the crash had been caused by mechanical malfunction or failure.

DONALD RUMSFELD, SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: I spoke to General Franks, the combatant commander this morning, and he indicates that they have no evidence at all that it was ground fire. They believe from what they have been able to hear from the members of the crew that it very likely was a mechanical failure.

HOLMES: The names of the dead are currently being withheld until relatives are notified.

This is the second incident involving a superstallion helicopter in Afghanistan. Last December, one of these massive helicopters -- they cost $26 million each -- had what was called "a hard landing" in desert terrain just outside of Kandahar. Four Marines were on board, none were injured in that incident. The helicopter repaired on the ground and flew out under its own power.

This aircraft is the workhorse of the U.S. military. As I said, $26 million apiece, built by Sikorsky, started working for the U.S. Marine Corps in 1981. It is a massive heavy lift helicopter. It can lift 16 tons of freight, or it can carry 55 fully-equipped troops. The investigation into this crash continues.

Michael Holmes, CNN, Kabul.

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