U.S. Air Force Tilt-Rotor Aircraft Crashes In Florida; Casualties Unknown

U.S. Air Force tilt-rotor aircraft crashes in Florida; casualties unknown < br />

2012-06-14 09:35:31 GMT+7 (ICT)

NAVARRE, FLORIDA (BNO NEWS) -- A U.S. Air Force tilt-rotor aircraft carrying five crew members crashed in northwest Florida on early Wednesday evening, officials said. The conditions of those on board was not immediately known.

The accident happened at approximately 6:45 p.m. local time when the CV-22 Osprey aircraft went down during a routine training mission at Eglin Range near Navarre, an unincorporated community in Santa Rosa County in the Florida Panhandle. The aircraft was carrying five service members.

"The extent of their injuries is unknown at this time. First responders are currently on the scene," a spokesperson for Hurlburt Field said in a brief statement, adding that the aircraft was assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing. "A board of officials will investigate the accident, and more information will be released as it becomes available."

The CV-22 Osprey is a tilt-rotor aircraft that has the ability to takeoff, land and hover like a helicopter but can also tilt its propellers to fly like a conventional, prop-driven aircraft. The CV-22 conducts long-range infiltration, exfiltration and resupply missions for special operations forces.

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