CONTACT: Eric Durr (518) 786-4581

FOR RELEASE: Wednesday, Aug 15, 2007

ON SITE: Major Kathy Sweeney (518) 786-4581

UPDATE 1: 11:15 A.M. July 16. The UH-60 Blackhawk assigned to the New York Army National Guard’s 3rd Battalion 142nd Aviation in Latham, New York which made an emergency landing near Mechanicsville, Saratoga County has been recovered. The New York National Guard will work with the property owner to assess the costs of any damage to the cornfield and ensure that payment is made. ______________________________________________________________________________ A UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter assigned to the New York Army National Guard’s 3rd Battalion 142nd Aviation in Latham, New York made an emergency landing outside Mechanicsville, Saratoga County at 11 p.m. on Aug 15. The helicopter crew was conducting routine night vision goggle flight training when the aircraft experienced engine failure. The Blackhawk is equipped with two engines, but safety procedures require crews to make emergency landings when one engine shuts down. The crew made a landing in a cornfield the vicinity of Roe Road. The crew was not injured and the aircraft did not sustain any damage. The cause of the engine failure is not yet known . Maintenance crews will inspect the aircraft and it is expected to be repaired and flown back to the Latham, New York flight facility today. The UH-60 Blackhawk is the U.S. Army’s standard utility helicopter. It can carry a crew of four Soldiers and ten passengers. It is routinely used by Army National Guard units in Iraq.