US military grounds pilots after fatal helicopter crash

Washington, Apr 28 (EFE).- The United States military has grounded its pilots for all non-essential flights after a crash between two Apache helicopters over Alaska left three soldiers dead and one wounded.

The order requires army pilots to complete a training course designed to prevent similar accident in the future.

“The move grounds all army aviators, except those participating in critical missions, until they complete the required training,” the army said in a statement, published by The Hill.

The crash on Thursday was the second involving Apache helicopters in the state this year.

In February, two soldiers were injured when the helicopter they were flying hit turbulence.

Nine people died in March in the Kentucky state when two Black Hawk helicopters crashed during training.

The pause in military flights will allow the armed forces to focus on security and training processes to prevent more such accidents, the statement said. EFE

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