Locally based military helicopter gets stuck in the mud

A 10-ton Chinook helicopter from 28 Squadron based at RAF Benson, just north of Reading, has got stuck in a muddy field after making an unscheduled landing.

The helicopter was forced to land in a field near Wantage after developing a mechanical problem, unfortunately while engineers fixed the problem the helicopter's undercarriage sank into the soft ground.

A tri-Service team of specialists is working hard to safely extract the aircraft from the mud.

While it was hoped that it could simply be dug out and then flown home, the risk of damage to the aircraft from this course of action has been assessed as significant.

Alternative options are now being explored, including potentially lifting it from the mud with a crane.

RAF Benson said in a Facebook statement:

"We are extremely thankful to the landowners for their understanding and support during this work, particularly the kindness they’ve shown to our team guarding the aircraft during some very cold nights."

• chinook
• raf benson