Officials release more information on MH-53 crash
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Two Airmen who sustained minor injuries when an MH-53 PAVE LOW had a hard landing near Duke Field yesterday are in good condition. The other five crewmembers on board suffered no injuries.
Airman 1st Class Bradley Jordan, 20th Special Operations Squadron gunner, and Col. William Nelson, Air Force Special Operations Command Surgeon General's office, are being held at separate hospitals in Pensacola.
A hard landing is any landing that causes possible structural damage due to excessive loads put on the aircraft landing gear and air frame.
"Thankfully, none of the seven crewmembers sustained any life-threatening or serious injuries," said Col. Marshall B. Webb, 1st Special Operations Wing commander. "The training and preparedness of these Airmen enabled everyone to walk away from what could have been a catastrophic accident."
The last MH-53 crash occurred November, 2003 in Afghanistan. Four Airmen and a soldier were killed.
An initial fire at the scene was put out by the Eglin fire department, who were first to arrive at the crash site.
Hurlburt Field officials are working in conjunction with Eglin Air Force Base officials to assist in emergency operations, Colonel Webb said.
An intermediate safety board is being convened to determine the cause of the accident, Colonel Webb said.
As soon as additional details become available, they will be provided.