Army MH-60 Black Hawk involved in Colorado training mishap; four soldiers unhurt

A U.S. Army MH-60 Black Hawk carrying four Special Operations Aviation soldiers came down during routine training near Denver, Colorado, on August 25, according to Army Special Operations Aviation Command. The command said there were no reported injuries at the time of its statement and described the occurrence as an aviation mishap.

Local authorities said the helicopter came down on the east side of Thorodin Mountain in Gilpin County, in the Colorado foothills west of Denver. The Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office was notified shortly before 11:30 a.m. local time and sent emergency personnel to the scene. Initial local reporting said there was no immediate danger to the surrounding community.

The Army has not released a cause, aircraft serial number, extent of damage, crew identities or further mission details. Army officials said the event is subject to an active safety investigation and declined additional comment while that work is underway. Reporting identifies the aircraft as belonging to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, although the Army statement did not identify a subordinate unit or the flight’s departure location.

Why it matters

The incident underscores the operational and safety demands of special operations rotorcraft training in mountainous terrain. With no cause established, conclusions about weather, aircraft condition, terrain, crew actions or mission planning would be premature; the Army safety investigation will determine the relevant factors.

Sources: Denver7; Stars and Stripes; CBS Colorado; New York Post