| A U.S. CH-47 Chinook helicopter made what was described as a "hard landing" Monday on a bomb-pocked airstrip in the dark, injuring 14 U.S. soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division. The accident occured near Khost. The helicopter was extensively damaged. Col. Frank Wiercinski said the soldiers received medical treatment for non-life-threatening injuries. The soldiers were taking part in an air assault combat operation at the time of the "hard landing." A Pentagon official blamed a "brown-out" for the accident. A brown-out occurs when the helicopter's rotors stir up so much dust from the ground it can no longer get enough airlift to remain in flight. |