Deadly Helicopter Crash in Washington State

A pair of Army helicopters crashed during a training exercise near Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington, killing four people, local media reported on Tuesday, Dec. 13.
Deadly Helicopter Crash in Washington State
12/13/2011
Updated:
12/13/2011

A pair of Army helicopters crashed during a training exercise near Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington, killing four people, local media reported on Tuesday, Dec. 13.

The four who died in the Monday night accident were all Army aviators, a spokesperson told the Seattle Times. “We will conduct a thorough investigation into this incident,” said Lt. Col. Gary Dangerfield, a senior officer at the base.

The cause of the crash, officials say, is still not clear. The pilots of the helicopters were in training. “The actual events are unknown at this point,” Chief Warrant Officer 5 James Oliphant told The Associated Press, adding that the investigation of the incident could take several months.

The area around the crash, near the town of Rainier, was cordoned off by police. “With moving aircraft, there could be debris anywhere throughout the woods,” Oliphant added.