General James McConville, Chief of Staff of the US Army, ordered “the freeze of flights after two fatal accidents” Thursday in Alaska and in late March in Kentucky, which killed three people and nine people, respectively.
The US military decided on Friday to prevent its planes from flying for 24 hours next week, except for essential missions, against the backdrop of four helicopter crashes in one month.
General James McConville, Chief of Staff of the US Army, ordered “the freezing of flights after two fatal accidents” Thursday in Alaska and in late March in Kentucky, which killed three people and nine people, respectively, according to a statement. He added, “This decision prevents all army pilots from flying, except for those involved in essential missions, until they complete the necessary training.”
He added that during this period, “the army will review the approval procedures, risk management and aviation maintenance training program, and standardize aircrew training, management and oversight responsibility.”
He said operating units should complete this pause from May 1st to 5th, and the National Guard and Reserves by May 31st.
Three US soldiers were killed and a fourth wounded Thursday when two Apache attack helicopters collided while returning from training exercises in Alaska.
And at the end of March, nine soldiers were killed when two Black Hawk helicopters crashed during a night exercise in Kentucky.
