1 killed in helicopter crash at Texas A&M

5 others, all non-students, injured in College Station

Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6207179.html

Jan. 12, 2009, 4:57PM

Wade Barker Associated Pres

An emergency worker carries equipment away from a helicopter after it crashed at Texas A&M in College Station on Monday.

One person was killed when an Army ROTC helicopter crashed at 3 p.m. Monday on the Texas A&M University campus in an open field next to the dining hall used by the school's Corps of Cadets, university reports said.

Five others on board - none of them students - were injured. There was no immediate word on their medical conditions.

The Blackhawk helicopter was reportedly taking off when it fell abruptly back to the ground, university officials said. The aircraft's rudder apparently failed as the helicopter took flight.

Late Monday afternoon, debris from the crash still covered much of Duncan Field next to Duncan Dining Hall, where the school's Corps of Cadets eats meals. Debris also covered several streets on the university's campus, causing those roads to be closed.

Those on board when the Army UH-60 Blackhawk plummeted to the ground included four members of the Army National Guard and a member of Texas A&M's ROTC staff who had recently graduated from the university.

All of the injured have been rushed to St. Joseph Regional Health Center in Bryan and the College Station Medical Center.

The helicopter, along with 190 cadets in the university's Corps, were taking part in the ROTC Winter Field Training Exercises when the crash occurred.

The College Station Fire Department and Texas A&M University Police have taken command of the scene. A Bryan mobile command post also is assisting.

If you have any questions concerning air crash litigation or helicopter crash litigation please contact me.

John Leach: johnl@oqlaw.com