A CHINOOK helicopter on a training exercise has made a crash landing on Carmarthenshire farmland, after it struck power lines
The incident happened on Tuesday evening (July 28) just after 10.30pm near Llangynin, north of St Clears, and the twin-engine aircraft crew suffered “minor injuries”.
The MOD confirmed that a suspected wire strike was thought to be responsible for the heavy-lifting helicopter coming down in the area.
The helicopter’s crew remained with the aircraft to maintain security until it can be recovered, it is understood.
Other helicopters are being brought into assist with the recovery operation, a source close to the incident said, with operations expected to commence at first light.
Ryan Calvert, a security guard, was at the scene. He told this newspaper: “We saw the helicopter in the field as we were in the area. The front of the chopper had its nose in the ground and was partially buried in earth. There were members of the armed forces guarding the chopper.”
The Chinook is described as an extremely capable and highly versatile support helicopter that can be operated from land or sea bases into a range of diverse environments, from the Arctic to the desert or jungle.
It may be armed and is fitted with a suite of self-defence equipment, allowing it to operate across the battlespace. Chinooks are primarily used for trooping, resupply and battlefield casualty evacuation.
A military spokesperson said the Chinook was on a training exercise at the time of the incident.
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