By: Thomas I. Likness
Eagle News Service

(Eagle News) — Investigators are sifting through what’s left of a military helicopter that crashed northwest of the Canadian capital of Ottawa this week looking for answers.

A CH-145F Chinook helicopter crashed into the Ottawa River shortly after midnight Tuesday, claiming the lives of the pilot and co-pilot.

Two other military personnel aboard the craft survived and suffered minor injuries.

The victims had been swept away by the water.

Their bodies were recovered following a day-long search.

The crew was based at Garrison Petawawa and was taking part in a training mission when the accident happened.

The Department of National Defense has released little information about the crash.

At the request of the families of the victims, their names are not being released.

Up to 16 people will be involved in the investigation which could last up to two weeks.

Many of them converged on the crash site Thursday.

The helicopter was equipped with a voice recorder and flight data recorder.

Officials haven’t said whether those black boxes have been recovered.

Crash Prompts Water Restrictions

Meanwhile, the crash has caused some problems for the nearby town of Petawawa.

The town has banned outdoor watering and its water treatment plant has stopped taking water from the Ottawa River.

The measure is a precaution in case fluids and fuel leak from the downed helicopter.

That restriction still remains in place.

Barriers have been set up to contain the fuel.
(Eagle News Service)