Italian Sikorsky Helicopter Crash Kills 8

An Italian military Sikorsky HH3F helicopter crashed in eastern France today, killing all on board. The Sikorsky HH3F Helicopter was operated by the Italian coastguard and used as a search and rescue aircraft. The helicopter crashed and exploded in flames.  According to local accident officials, there is no known cause of the crash. The polits and passengers appear to have died instantly in the crash and firey explosion.

The helicopter, which Italian newspapers said had taken off from Rimini, was taking part in a joint Franco-Italian exercise, said the Ministry of Defence in Rome. “It caught fire at 4.30pm local time in open countryside not far from Strasbourg. It was completely destroyed. We still don’t know the causes,” an Italian military spokesman said. There was no immediate word on the identity of the crew and passengers. [Oct 23, 2008]