A video showing the dramatic crash of an AH-64 Apache helicopter in Afghanistan surfaced online Thursday, and the military says it is investigating whether the pilot was attempting to "show off" to troops on the ground in the incident.
[See a collection of political cartoons on Afghanistan.]
The video, shot on Feb. 6, shows the combat helicopter plunging down towards a coalition outpost before pulling into a steep ascent and regaining altitude. Some people on the ground scream and at least one laughs before the pilot appears to lose control over the base. The Apache then takes a hard dive towards the ground, skipping off the snowy surface near the outpost and heading into a violent spin before crashing in the distance.
A former military helicopter pilot told ABC News that the Apache pilot appears to be performing a "return to target" maneuver—a relatively standard move for experienced pilots where the helicopter swoops in low over a target, turns 180 degrees and swoops back down again.
No one was injured in the crash, as the two helicopter crew members walked away with only minor bruises.
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Gerald of CA 3:31PM March 22, 2012