Pave Hawk Accident Report

Air Force investigators concluded they were unable to determine the primary cause of the crash of an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter on March 23 in Afghanistan. Six aircrew members from the 41^st and 38^th Rescue squadrons home-based at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., died as a result of the crash. The aircraft, valued at more than $21 million, was destroyed. The crew was en route to support a medical evacuation mission when the incident occurred.

According to an Air Combat Command Accident Investigation Board report released July 3, investigators found three factors contributed to the accident. First, the HC-130 refueling tanker was flying 150 feet below the required altitude of 500 feet. Second, limited light reduced the effectiveness of night vision goggles, which led to spatial disorientation and loss of situational awareness. Third, the terrain's high altitude, 9,000 feet above sea level, combined with the 30-degree bank during the refueling aircraft's climbing turn made it difficult to maintain the helicopter in the refueling position.

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