Multiple birdstrike downed Pave Hawk, USAF concludes

Jul. 10, 2014 By David Learmount - FG

London - A multiple birdstrike caused the 7 January fatal crash of a US Air Force Sikorsky HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter over the UK east coast, accident investigators have determined.

The crew and the aircraft belonged to the USAF’s 56th Rescue Squadron, operating from RAF Lakenheath, UK.

According to a report into the accident compiled by the service, the crew was on a training sortie described by the USAF as “a night-time rescue scenario of a downed F-16 pilot on grass-covered marshland near Cley-next-the-Sea”.

Following the birdstrike by a flock of geese the aircraft went out of control and crashed, causing the death of all four on board.

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