Osprey Crashes in Florida Injuring Five Airmen
June 14--HURLBURT FIELD -- An Air Force CV-22 Osprey assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing crashed during a routine training mission Wednesday evening.
All five airmen aboard were injured, said Master Sgt. Kristina Newton, a spokeswoman for Hurlburt Field. Three of the airmen were flown to local hospitals and two were taken by ambulance, Newton said.
The extent of their injuries had not been released as of 10 p.m.
The Osprey crashed on Eglin Air Force Base's reservation north of Navarre about 6:45 p.m.
The aircraft, a cross between a helicopter and plane, is noted for its ability to take off and land vertically.
A board of Air Force officials will investigate the accident, according to the public affairs office for the 1st SOW.
More information will be released as it becomes available, Newton said.
The first operational CV-22 was delivered to the 1st SOW in January 2007.
The Osprey's cost has been reported at about $70 million.
The extent of damage to the CV-22 had not been released Wednesday night.
Copyright 2012 - Northwest Florida Daily News, Fort Walton Beach
