U.S. Air Force tilt-rotor aircraft crashes in southeastern Afghanistan

April 9th, 2010 - 2:41 pm ICT by BNO News  

KABUL (BNO NEWS) — At least four Americans were killed when a U.S. Air Force plane crashed in southeastern Afghanistan on late Thursday, NATO said. Many more were believed to have been injured.

The CV-22 Osprey aircraft crashed approximately seven miles west of Qalat City, in Zabul province. The CV-22 Osprey is a tilt-rotor aircraft that has the ability to takeoff, land and hover like a helicopter but can also tilt its propellers to fly like a conventional, prop-driven aircraft.

NATO confirmed at least three U.S. service members had been killed in the crash, while ‘numerous’ more had been injured. A civilian employee was also killed. The injured were transported to a nearby base for medical treatment.

“The cause of the crash is being investigated,” said Marcin Walczak, a spokesman for the NATO-led ISAF alliance.

It was not immediately clear how many people were on board the plane when it crashed. The CV-22 Osprey is capable of carrying up to 32 troops and four crew.

The CV-22 conducts long range infiltration and resupply for U.S. Forces.

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