Air Force Helicopter Shot, Makes Emergency Landing In Virginia

Manassas, VA – A military helicopter out of Joint Base Andrews was forced to make an emergency landing in Northern Virginia on Wednesday morning after somebody shot at it from the ground.

The U.S. Air Force UH-1N Huey helicopter was flying about 1,000 feet above the ground on a routine training mission when it was struck with a bullet, according to McClatchy.

The helicopter is assigned to the 1st Helicopter Squadron at Joint Base Andrews, where Air Force One and Marine One are hangered.

The Air Force said the helicopter was about 10 miles northwest of Manassas Regional Airport when the incident occurred, McClatchy reported.

The helicopter sustained damage and one crew member was hurt.

The pilot made an emergency landing at the nearby Manassas airport, according to McClatchy.

“The Airport received a call from Manassas Control Tower at 12:20 pm on Monday about a military helicopter inbound that had an on-board emergency and that paramedics would be arriving shortly,” City of Manassas Communications Manager Pattie Prince said.

An Air Force spokesperson said the damaged helicopter landed safely at 12:43 p.m., McClatchy reported.

“Initial findings are that the helicopter was struck by a bullet resulting in a minor injury to an aircrew member and damage to the aircraft,” the Air Force said.

The wounded crew member was transported to a nearby facility for medical treatment and was later released.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the incident, McClatchy reported.

The Washington Field Office confirmed that agents had responded to Manassas airport with the FBI’s Evidence Response Team.

“WFO is working jointly with our law enforcement partners, including the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident,” the FBI spokesperson said.