Military helicopter landed in Hadley field

HADLEY, Mass. (WWLP) - A U.S. Army cargo helicopter had to make what is being called a "precautionary landing" in a field in Hadley Tuesday night.

Connecticut Army National Guard spokesperson Col John Whitford told 22News that the CH-47 Chinook helicopter was on a maintenance test flight when there was a rumbling from the aircraft's drive shaft, and a burning smell.

Col Whitford says that the pilot landed safely in a field off Mill Valley Road near the rear of the Mountain Farms Mall. He said the pilot landed the helicopter under its own power and without damage. No one was injured.

The helicopter remained in the field Wednesday morning, but Col Whitford said that a maintenance team will bring it back to Connecticut for repairs.

The unusual sight of the helicopter in the field caught the attention of nearby residents, like Bill Bannack.

“It’s an interesting sight that you can grasp how large they are when you get this close, when you compare it with the field,” said Banack, who is himself a pilot.

“Probably, the lights from the mall helped guide him into that location. He did a good job no matter what. He had help, divine or otherwise.

The helicopter was taken from the Army Aviation Support Facility at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks.