2002 — Feb 22, US Army Chinook crashes at sea, exercise off Dumaguete Philippines–all 10

–10 AP. “U.S. ’Coper Crashes in Philippines; 10 Die.” Daily Sitka Sentinel, AK, 2-22-2002, 12.
–10 Aviation Safety Network. US Army Chinook crash at sea off Dumaguete, Philippines, 2-22-2002.

Narrative Information

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 2002:
“Date: 22-Feb-2002
“Time: 02:30
“Type: Boeing MH-47E Chinook
“Owner/operator: United States Army Aviation
“Registration: 92-00471
“MSN: M3719
“Fatalities: Fatalities: 10 / Occupants: 10
….
“Location: off Dumaguete – Philippines
“Phase: en route
“Nature: Military
“Departure airport: Baslan Island
“Destination airport: Mactan Air Base
….
“Narrative: Crashed at sea during exercise.”

Newspaper

Feb 22, AP: “APO Island, Philippines (AP) – A U.S. Army helicopter participating in anti-terrorism exercises with Philippine troops crashed into the sea early Friday with 10 Americans aboard, a U.S. official said. Three bodies were recovered. The MH-47E Chinook helicopter appeared to be burning when it went down, witnesses said, but U.S. and Philippine officials say it was not hit by rebel fire. It was carrying eight crew and two passengers. ‘We have found no survivors from the mishap aircraft,’ said Brig. Gen. Donald Wurster, head of the U.S. contingent. ‘We, of course, hope they are alive and we are doing everything with our Philippine friends to find them. ‘These were friends of mine, so it’s a difficult part of our jobs.’

“The cause of the crash was unknown….

“Maj. Paul Fitzpatrick, an Army spokesman at Fort Campbell, Ky., said the eight-member crew was from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and that the other two men were Air Force para-rescue jumpers. The 160th, known as the ‘Night Stalkers,’ slips special forces commandos behind enemy lines abord Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters.

“Col. Alexander Aleo, commander of the Philippine military’s 103rd brigade headquarters on Basilan, said ‘everything looked normal’ as the choppers dropped off the last of 160 U.S. special forces and supplies that have been arriving over the last two weeks to help the Philippine military. Police said there was light rain and poor visibility at the time, but the chopper is equipped with advanced radar and other navigation gear….

“Some debris and an oil slick were spotted five nautical miles from tiny Apo island in the Bohol Sea in the southern Philippines. Coast Guard Lt. Armand Balilo said one of the helicopter’s rotors had been found.

“Officials said the turquoise water was believed to be more than 1,400 feet deep….” (Associated Press. “U.S. ’Coper Crashes in Philippines; 10 Die.” Daily Sitka Sentinel, AK, 2-22-2002, p. 12.)

Sources

Associated Press. “U.S. ’Coper Crashes in Philippines; 10 Die.” Daily Sitka Sentinel, AK, 2-22-2002, p. 12. Accessed 7-30-2023 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/daily-sitka-sentinel-feb-22-2002-p-12/

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 2002. US Army Chinook crash at sea during exercise off Dumaguete, Philippines, 2-22-2002. Accessed 7-30-3023 at: https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/73677