Black Hawk lost at sea near Fiji

November 29, 2006 07:36pm

CREW members of an Australian Army Black Hawk are reported missing off Fiji after their helicopter crashed at sea.

Defence offered few details, saying only that the helicopter had been operating from aboard the landing ship HMAS Kanimbla.

Kanimbla and two other Australian warships were despatched earlier this month to stand by off Fiji to rescue Australian nationals in event of a coup by the Fijian military.

Defence Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston will hold a media conference later this evening.

ABC television reported that it was understood some personnel had been rescued but others might be missing.

Over the last decade, Australia has lost many more service personnel in helicopter accidents than from any other cause.

In the tragedy on Nias Island, Indonesia, in April 2005, nine died when a navy Sea King helicopter crashed as it came in to land.

In June 1996, 18 servicemen, including 15 members of the crack Special Air Service regiment, died when two helicopters collided during a training exercise near Townsville in Queensland.

The Black Hawk, which carries a crew of four and up to 10 soldiers, is the principal transport helicopter of the Australian Army.

It entered service in 1988 with the army acquiring a total of 39.

The last aircraft was delivered in 1991.

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