The reason why a National Guard helicopter crashed in mountain country near Boise last fall, killing three crew members, still baffles investigators, military officials conceded Saturday.
There was some emergency on board, but details are unknown.The engine of the Medivac chopper lost power, according to the results of an accident investigation. Why that happened is a question that may never be answered.
The craft was on a routine training flight Sept. 9 when it crashed near Danskin Peak, about 25 miles east of Boise. One crew member survived, though seriously injured.
The National Guard said there was insufficient power from the turbine engine, which was operating at extremely low revolutions per minute at the moment of impact. But the report added that the reason for the power loss still was undetermined, because a test of the engine during the investigation showed it could produce full power.
The report said the problem could have been some unusual happening, or due to wind and turbulence.
It added that the pilots may have been reacting to another emergency and closed the throttle as part of the emergency procedure.
The aircraft belonged to Idaho Army National Guard.