EMBASSY STATEMENT ON HELICOPTER INCIDENT OF APRIL 18 RELEASED 1800 HOURS LOCAL TIME

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90B01370R000801040019-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 4, 2008
• Sequence Number: 19
• Publication Date: April 19, 1984
• Content Type: CABLE

Approved For Release 2008/12/04: CIA-RDP90BO1370R000801040019-9
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 001
TOR: 190136Z APR 84
00 RUEAIIB
ZNR UUUUU ZOC STATE ZZH
STU9715
00 RUEHC
DE RUEHTG #4931 1100129
ZNR UUUUU ZZH ZZK
0 1901262 APR 84 ZFF4
FM AMEMBASSY TEGUCIGALPA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHOC NIACT IMMEDIATE 2003
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC NIACT IMMEDIATE
RUEOEHA/USCINCSO QUARRY HEIGHTS PN NIACT IMMEDIATE
RUEHIA/USIA WASHDC NIACT IMMEDIATE 1884
RUEBSAA/COMJTF-A COMAYAGUA HO NIACT IMMEDIATE
BT
UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 04931
E.O. 12356: N/A
TAGS: SCOM, HO, MARR, OREP
SUBJECT: EMBASSY STATEMENT ON HELICOPTER INCIDENT OF
APRIL 18 RELEASED 1800 HOURS LOCAL TIME
1. AT APPROXIMATELY 3 PM TODAY, US ARMY OH-1 HELICOPTER
MADE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING IN MARCALA, HONDURAS ABOUT
55 MILES WEST OF TEGUCIGALPA APPROXIMATELY TEN MILES
NORTH OF THE BORDER WITH EL SALVADOR. THERE WERE NO
INJURIES AMONG THE CREW MEMBERS AND PASSENGERS. THE
UH-1 HELICOPTER WAS ONE OF TWO UNARMED HELICOPTERS
TRANSPORTING SENATORS J. BENNETT JOHNSTON OF LOUISIANA
AND LAWTON CHILES OF FLORIDA AND MEMBERS OF THEIR PARTY
ON A VISIT TO THE REFUGEE CAMP AT COLOMONCAGUA, HONDURAS
WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.
BOTH SENATORS WERE ON THE HELICOPTER WHICH MADE THE
PRECAUTIONARY LANDING.
2. THE PASSENGERS WERE RETURNED BY HELICOPTER TO THE
HONDURAN AIR FORCE BASE AT PALMEROLA AND TO TEGUCIGALPA
TO RESUME THEIR ITINERARY. THERE WERE SIX CREW MEMBERS
AND NINE PASSENGERS ON THE TWO HELICOPTERS.
3. A PRELIMINARY REPORT INDICATES THE UH-1 PRECAUTIONARY
LANDING WAS MADE AS THE RESULT OF GROUND FIRE WHICH
STRUCK THE HELICOPTER AS IT WAS APPROACHING THE
REFUGEE CAMP NEAR THE EL SALVADOR BORDER. THE SECOND
HELICOPTER ALSO RECEIVED GROUND FIRE BUT WAS NOT HIT.
4. THE INCIDENT IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.
NEGROPONTE
END OF MESSAGE UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
OLL/LD
INCOMING
STAT
STAT
Approved For Release 2008/12/04: CIA-RDP90BO1370R000801040019-9