Copter crash kills 8 U.S. service members

SHAHJOI, Afghanistan (AP) -- After radioing in an unexplained loss of power and engine failure, a military helicopter crashed early Sunday in southeastern Afghanistan, killing eight U.S. service members. Fourteen survived with injuries.
Officials immediately ruled out enemy fire as a cause of the crash, which left charred wreckage of the twin-rotor Chinook scattered on a dusty, open plain in Zabul province, just 50 yards from the main Kabul-Kandahar highway.
There were no immediate claims of responsibility for any attack on the helicopter, which went down under overcast skies in a region where Taliban militants are active.
It was the deadliest single episode this year for the 47,000 U.S.-led coalition and NATO forces in Afghanistan.
The helicopter was carrying 22 U.S. service members when it had a "sudden, unexplained loss of power and control and crashed," U.S. military spokesman Lt. Col. David Accetta told The Associated Press, adding the cause would be investigated.
"It was not enemy-fire related," said Col. Tom Collins, spokesman for NATO's International Security Assistance Force. "The pilot was able to radio in that he was having engine problems. We're confident it was not due to enemy action."
Set up around site
Seven U.S. humvees and three Afghan military vehicles parked around the crash site. About 35 American soldiers and 15 Afghan army soldiers blocked reporters from entering the area. Afghan troops searched every passing vehicle and their passengers.
Zabul provincial Gov. Dilber Jan Arman said it was possible that the helicopter crash was because of bad weather.
The military relies heavily on helicopters for transport and operations because of Afghanistan's forbidding terrain and lack of passable roads.
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