S/N #88-26116

AIR FORCE COPTER CRASHES INTO LAKE, KILLING 12

Hill Air Force Base, Utah — (AF) — An Air Force helicopter crashed into the Great Salt Lake during rough weather, killing 12 people, authorities said Friday. The only other person abord was rescued from the water.

A storm, with snow at high elevations, hampered rescue efforts but all 12 bodies were recovered, said Hill Air Force Base spokesman Dave Kendziora.

The MH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter was on a training mission when it went down Thursday night in northern Utah’s inland sea, about 100 yards off the northern tip of Antelope Island and about 15 miles west of Hill Air Force Base.

Kendziora said crews in search helicopters spotted debris and bodies in deeper water northwest of the crash, apparently pushed there by high wind. They were recovered by crews in boats.

One survivor was pulled from the water and was in serious condition at the University of Utah Health Sciences Center with cuts on his right leg and over his left eye.

The helicopter was assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing headquarted at Hurlburt Field at Eglin Air Force Base, FL.

It may have been stationed with squadrons elsewhere in Florid, he said.

The helicopter was on a joint Army-Air Force exercise, and those aboard could have included Army personnel, Grimes said.

The exercise involved patrols, raids, ambushes and live fire exercises, said Hill spokesman Len Barry.

Daily Herald Chicago, Illinois 1992-10-31

List of Casualties;

Sgt. Blaine A Mishak. USA
Col. John T. Keneally USA
Lt. Col. Kenneth W. Strauss USA
1st Sgt. Harvey L. Moore, Jr. USA
Spc. Jeremy B. Bird USA
Lt. Col. Roland E. Peikotto, Jr. USAF
SSgt. Steven W. Kelley USAF
Sgt. Philip A. Kesler USAF
Sr. Amn. Derek C. Hughes USAF
Cpt. Michael L. Nazjonale USAF
Sgt. Mark C. Lee USAF
TSgt. Mark Scholl USAF

http://www.gendisasters.com/utah/18994/great-salt-lake-ut-helicopter-crashes-lake-oct-1992