Official: Guard Helicopter Had Bad Rotor Blade
Official: Guard Helicopter Had Bad Rotor Blade
2:26 p.m. EST December 4, 2014
Columbia, SC (WLTX) - The South Carolina National Guard says a Blackhawk helicopter will remain in a field off Interstate 77 for now after it had to make a precautionary landing.
The UH-60 Blackhawk had to land at the location, which is near the Cayce Water Treatment Facility, at 4:18 p.m. Wednesday after experiencing a main rotor blade malfunction. The chopper is assigned to the 1-111th General Aviation Support Battalion.
The guard says the helicopter will remain at the site until it's released by an Accident Investigation Board. Colonel James Barkley, the South Carolina State Aviation Officer, said this is the first time they've experienced an issue with the Blackhawk.
"The aircrew training and stringent standards resulted in an incredible job performed by these S.C. Army National Guard aviators. Their experience operating in a combat environment translates back to their aviation roles stateside," said Barkley. They performed in an exemplary and outstanding job. At the end of the day, they went home to their families unscathed."
"The successful emergency landing of our UH-60 Black Hawk speaks to the professionalism and skill of the aircrews in the S.C. Army National Guard," said Maj. Gen. Robert Livingston, the adjutant general for South Carolina.
The guard is determining their options for moving the aircraft.