A Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) training mission went terribly wrong yesterday resulting in three soldiers being seriously injured after a military helicopter crashed at Up Park Camp.

Up to late yesterday evening the soldiers were still being treated at the University Hospital of the West Indies. A technical team from the aircraft's manufacturers, Bell Helicopter, based in Texas, United States, is expected in the island tomorrow to assist with the investigation.

"We cannot say what really happened or the nature of the injuries. However, the last communication was that they were in stable condition,'' remarked Major Ricardo Blackwood of the JDF's civil/military cooperation branch.

Erratic flight pattern

A JDF news release said that the incident occurred about 12:30 p.m. yesterday. It seems the aircraft narrowly made it to the military base, as shortly after midday, a Gleaner news team heading into Kingston via the Portmore leg of Highway 2000 spotted a green helicopter, the same colour of the aircraft that crashed, involved in what appeared to be an erratic flight pattern.

As the news team approached Marcus Garvey Drive, the helicopter took a sudden dip to the left and went out of the news team's line of sight. Just moments later, the aircraft was seen flying over Tinson Pen. It appeared the aircraft was about to land. But it never did.

About 30 minutes later, news of the crash started to circulate. When quizzed about the events leading up to the crash, Blackwood said he could not comment on the route the aircraft took before crashing at the military base. Asked why the pilot did not land the helicopter, which ostensibly was experiencing difficulties, at Tinson Pen, the army officer said the impending investigations would provide the answers.

Investigation launched

"The chief of defence staff has already ordered a board of inquiry to be convened to determine the cause of the accident, and an independent flight safety investigation will also be conducted," read another section of the military's news release.

It was revealed that all those injured were members of the flight crew. "On-board the aircraft at the time of the crash were the captain, his co-pilot and a crew member. There were no passengers or civilians on-board at the time of the accident," the release said.

Although Blackwood did not have much details, persons along Camp Road said they heard the impact of the crash.

"Yes, sir, it was the loud bang that I hear, that is how I know that something wrong and the jeep them speed out a camp,'' said a man who was standing along Camp Road.

The helicopter involved in the crash is a Bell 412EP, which is also used in search-and-rescue operations.