PLAN COLOMBIA/COLOMBIAN ARMY BLACKHAWK GOES DOWN IN

UNCLAS BOGOTA 000335

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR INL AND WHA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR PTER MOPS CO
SUBJECT: PLAN COLOMBIA/COLOMBIAN ARMY BLACKHAWK GOES DOWN IN
SOUTHERN NARINO


1. AT APPROXIMATELY 0020 ON JANUARY 13, A PLAN
COLOMBIA/COLOMBIAN ARMY UH-60 BLACKHAWK HELICOPTER WITH 20
TROOPS CRASHED DUE TO BAD WEATHER APPROXIMATELY 36 MILES
NORTHEAST OF TUMACO IN THE DEPARTMENT OF NARINO, ON
COLOMBIA'S PACIFIC COAST. THERE WERE NO SURVIVORS.


2. THE HELICOPTER WAS CARRYING TROOPS FROM THE PLAN COLOMBIA
SUPPORTED COUNTER DRUG (CD) BRIGADE CONDUCTING A NIGHT
ASSUALT ON A COLOMBIAN REVOLUTIONARY ARMED FORCES (FARC)
CAMP. The FARC WERE PROTECTING A COCAINE HCL LAB. THE
HELICOPTER CRASHED APPOXIMATELY 8 MILES FROM THE OBJECTIVE.
THE TROOPS WERE CONDUCTING THE OPERATION TO SECURE THE AREA
FOR AERIAL ERADICATION PROGRAM AIRCRAFT OUT OF TUMACO.


3. THE FARC WESTERN FRONT OPERATES IN THE AREA WHERE THE
CRASH OCCURRED. HOWEVER, THERE IS NO INDICATION AT THIS
TIME THAT THE HELICOPTER WAS HIT BY ENEMY FIRE.


4. NAS BOGOTA PERSONNEL ARRIVED AT THE CRASH SITE EARLY ON
JANUARY 13 TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE AND INVESTIGATE THE
ACCIDENT.
WOOD