Few details emerge in Black Hawk helicopter crash in Italy

Few details emerge in Black Hawk helicopter crash in Italy
By Kent Harris, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Friday, November 30, 2007

Only two of the five airmen aboard an Army UH–60 Black Hawk helicopter that crashed three weeks ago in northern Italy were taking part in a re-enlistment ceremony, according to Air Force officials.

The crash — which killed four Air Force members and two soldiers — occurred Nov. 9 on the banks of the Piave River. And while a team from the U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center was sent from Alabama to Italy shortly after the crash, military officials haven’t said when the findings of the investigation will be released.

Capt. Cartize Durham — one of the four airmen killed — was re-enlisting another airman, Senior Airman Michael Costley from the 31st Logistics Readiness Squadron, according to Capt. Jennifer Ferrau, chief of public affairs for the 31st Fighter Wing.

Costley was injured in the crash and remains at a local hospital.

Ferrau said the other five airmen on board were on an orientation flight “learning what the Army does and how they do it.”


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