Military

DATE=1/13/2004

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAQ / CRASH (S)

NUMBER=2-311782

BYLINE= SONJA PACE

DATELINE=BAGHDAD

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

///EDS: WATCH FOR NEW INFO AND UPDATE INTRO ACCORDINGLY///

INTRO: A U-S Apache helicopter went down west of Baghdad Tuesday. A military spokesperson said the crew has survived, but would not confirm news reports that the chopper was brought down by hostile fire. V-O-A's Sonja Pace has the story from Baghdad.

TEXT: A U-S military spokesperson confirmed that the helicopter went down Tuesday morning near the town of Habbaniya, about 80 kilometers west of Baghdad.

The area is known for insurgent attacks against coalition forces and American helicopters have been a favored target.

Nine American soldiers were killed last Thursday when their Black Hawk helicopter, on a medical evacuation mission, made a crash landing near the town of Fallujah. All nine personnel on board were killed. A preliminary investigation indicated it had been brought down by hostile ground fire. (Signed)

NEB/SP/MAR