Turkish military helicopter crashes in Constantinople

The aircraft went down while flying over Sancaktepe, a neighborhood in the east of Constantinople, according to local media outlets. Four service members were killed in the deadly crash and one was badly injured, reported local broadcaster NTV.

It also said that the ill-fated aircraft was a UH-1, a type of American-built utility helicopter that has been in service since as early as the Vietnam War.

The helicopter was reportedly returning from a routine training flight and crashed during landing at a nearby military base.

NTV quoted Sancaktepe mayor who said the UH-1 struck the roof of a building before hitting the ground. As the events developed, Turkey’s Chief of General Staff Hulusi Akar has arrived at the crash site to coordinate rescue efforts.