Central Identification Laboratory (CILHI) News Release
"Helicopter With CILHI Personnel Crashes in PNG"
May 8, 2003
CILHI Official Homepage

HICKAM AFB, Hawaii - A Pacific Helicopter Lhama contracted by the U.S. Army Central Identification Laboratory carrying five personnel crashed into the ocean off the coastline of Lae, Papua New Guinea at approximately noon Hawaii local time.

There were three personnel from the U.S. Army Central Identification Laboratory aboard, a representative from the Papua New Guinea National Museum and a Pacific Helicopter pilot. The pilot was killed, one of the CILHI personnel was injured and is in stable condition at Angau Memorial Hospital, Lae, and the others are in good condition.

The helicopter had just taken off and was a few minutes into flight when it crashed. The aircraft was enroute to a downed World War II crash site, which the team was surveying before moving all personnel and equipment to the site. It is believed that the weather was not a contributing factor in the crash.

The 13-member CILHI team was in Papua New Guinea to excavate a crash site of a WW II B-24D aircraft that went down in 1943. The CILHI team has suspended operations and will be returning to Hawaii. For more information please contact the CILHI Public Affairs Officer Ginger Couden at (808) 448-8903 ext. 109.

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