Chinook helicopter is left stranded in a field for days after technical problems caused it to make a swift landing
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A Chinook helicopter has been stuck in a field for four days after making a precautionary landing following a suspected hydraulic failure.
Boeing CH-47D ZA 671 is being guarded by the RAF in the middle of a field in Bere Regis, Dorset, while the aircraft undergoes a ‘technical assessment’.
The aircraft is believed to have been taking part in a major exercise on the south coast involving six helicopters when the technical problem occurred on Wednesday.
According to an eyewitness, an attempt was made on Friday to get the Chinook going again, but the hydraulic line broke.
The Chinook is situated in a field less than 100 metres from the busy A31 and not far from a Shell garage.
It is thought to have originated from RAF Odiham in Hants and now draws large crowds, with plane spotters stopping to take a look.
A Chinook helicopter was stranded in a field for four days after making a precautionary landing following a suspected hydraulic failure
Boeing CH-47D ZA 671 is guarded by the RAF in the middle of a field in Bere Regis, Dorset
It is believed to have been taking part in a major exercise on the south coast involving six helicopters
The Chinook is located in a field less than 100 metres from the busy A31 and not far from a Shell garage
The Department of Defense says they hope to resolve the issue by the end of the weekend
The Ministry of Defence says they hope to resolve the issue by the end of the weekend.
Lewis Johnstone, 20, from Poole, who works for a military engineering company, said: ‘The Chinook crashed on Wednesday afternoon or evening during a major exercise involving six helicopters all along the south coast.
‘I believe there was a hydraulic problem.
‘I went to see it on Friday after hearing about the Chinook through a Facebook group.
‘They did a ground check on the helicopter and then started it up.
“When they restarted it, the hydraulic line ruptured. They shut it down and I suspect it will remain under surveillance for a few more days.”
The RAF is currently in the process of reducing its CH-47 fleet from 60 to 51, with each Chinook costing an estimated £30 million to replace.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: ‘The Chinook has made a precautionary landing. We are carrying out a technical assessment.’