13 Dead In U.S. Helicopter Crash In Iraq

U.S. helicopters flying near Samarra in March 2006 (epa) January 20, 2007 -- The U.S. military says an American helicopter crashed northeast of Baghdad today, killing all 13 people aboard.

In a statement, officials said all aboard were military personnel, and "all were killed."

The military did not identify the type of helicopter or what caused the crash. The Blackhawk helicopter is widely used in Iraq by U.S. forces, and can carry around 10 passengers and four crew.

Dozens of helicopters have crashed in Iraq since the 2003 U.S. -led invasion of the country. Several of them were shot down by insurgents.

(compiled from agency reports)