Two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters assigned to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 82nd Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, were conducting routine cross-country, multi-ship night vision training at 10:30 p.m., approximately 50 miles west of Richmond, Va., when they began to experience difficulties.
One helicopter was involved in the accident, the other helicopter recovered and returned safely to Simmons Army Airfield.
One paratrooper was evacuated by ground ambulance and air ambulance to the University of Virginia Medical Center where he is listed in critical condition. The remaining three paratroopers were treated on-site for minor injuries and were taken to South Side Emergency Room in Farmville, Va., for further evaluation.
There were no reports of malfunctions in the aircraft prior to the flight. A safety investigation is ongoing at the site to determine the cause of the incident.
The 82nd Airborne Division Aviation Brigade currently has 30 UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopters assigned to its 2nd Battalion.
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