A Royal Air Force (RAF) Chinook helicopter has been stuck for days in a field in Dorset after breaking down due to engineering issues.
The Boeing CH-47D ZA 671, from RAF Odiham in Hampshire, made a precautionary landing in the field near Bere Regis on July 10, 2024, due to a technical issue. It is believed that the helicopter was taking part in an exercise along with six other helicopters.
According to the BBC, engineers later discovered a fault in the hydraulic system and have been working to repair it.
On July 12, 2024, attempts to start the Chinook were made, only for the hydraulic pipe to split.
“The RAF can confirm a 7 Squadron Chinook from RAF Odiham suffered a technical issue which required the crew to complete a precautionary landing in a field near Bere Regis, Dorset,” an RAF spokesperson told local media.
“We would like to offer our thanks to the landowner and the local population for their patience and support while we fix the aircraft,” the spokesperson added.
The 24,494 kilogram helicopter landed just 100 yards from the A31, a busy national highway. Since then, a number of locals have taken snaps of the Chinook and posted it on social media.
