Enemy Fire Not Suspected In Emergency Water Landing

ANN REALTIME UPDATE 12.04.06 1300 EST: Coalition forces have recovered the bodies of all three missing servicemembers lost during an emergency water landing by a USMC CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter Sunday. The helo made an emergency water landing near the shore of Lake Qadisiyah in western Anbar province.

Thirteen of the individuals on board were accounted for Sunday, including the body of one Marine who was recovered from the water after the emergency landing.

The rescue effort included all available surveillance and rescue capabilities to include air, amphibious and joint pararescue teams, U.S. officials said.

"We have recovered all of our comrades," Marine Lt. Col Bryan Salas said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased."

Initial reports confirm the helicopter experienced mechanical difficulties and executed an emergency landing. The names of the service members who died are being held pending notification of next of kin.

Original Report

Officials with the US military report one Marine died yesterday in the crash of a CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter in western Anbar Province, Iraq. Three other servicemembers are missing following the accident.

The US Marine Corps CH-46 helicopter from 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (type shown above) made an emergency water landing with 16 personnel on board, including the crew. The accident does not appear to have been caused by enemy action, officials said.

Thirteen passengers were accounted for yesterday. During search-and-rescue operations, one Marine was recovered from the water, but attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful. Search-and-recovery efforts are ongoing for the remaining three unaccounted servicemembers, officials said.

"Every available resource is being utilized to find the missing servicemembers," Multinational Corps Iraq officials said in a statement.

The accident comes one week after a USAF F-16 went down during a low-level strafing mission northwest of Baghdad. Officials confirmed this weekend the pilot was killed in that crash, which may have been caused by insurgent fire.

FMI: www.marines.mil