Helicopter crashes in Baghdad

An Army helicopter crashed in southwest Baghdad tonight and the fate of the crew was not immediately known, a US military official said.

US military officials do not think the helicopter was hit by hostile fire, but are still investigating, said Lt. Col. James Hutton.

The OH-58 Kiowa copter usually carries a crew of three and is unlikely to carry large numbers of passengers.

Ground units were at the scene, but the status of the crew was still unknown, Hutton said.

Other helicopters were flying overhead in the area, in southwest Baghdad, to provide cover for the ground search and rescue units, Hutton said.

The crash occurred about 7:55 pm Baghdad time, he said.