Opp, United States: A US Army UH-72 Lakota helicopter was involved in an aviation mishap Monday afternoon, July 27, it crashed in a privately owned field on Cool Springs Road near the Opp Bypass in Covington County, with all three people aboard reported in stable condition, according to Fort Rucker officials.
The helicopter was operating in a remote training area near Opp when the incident occurred. Officials say the crew was conducting routine flight training. Covington County Sheriff Blake Turman says it appears that the helicopter lost power and crashed.
Fort Rucker officials confirmed that a single UH-72 Lakota was involved in the aviation mishap and that three people were aboard the aircraft.
According to information released by Fort Rucker officials, all three occupants survived the incident and were reported to be in stable condition. Occupants are identified as an instructor pilot and two student pilots and they were taken to a Dothan-area hospital for medical evaluation and treatment.
The identities of the three occupants have not been publicly released in the official information currently available. Officials have also not disclosed the extent of their injuries.
The circumstances that led to the helicopter mishap, including how the aircraft came down and whether it sustained significant damage, have not been publicly detailed. Fort Rucker officials have not announced a cause, and the incident remains under investigation.
The Army has described the event as an “aviation mishap.” No fatalities have been reported. The UH-72 Lakota is operated by the US Army for missions including training and support operations. The helicopter involved in Monday’s incident was being used during a routine training flight. As of the latest available official information, the three people aboard remained in stable condition, while the cause of the mishap was under investigation.
