A SPECIAL Forces helicopter crashed moments after take off due to engine failure.
The SAS Chinook was due to fly to Cyprus when a turbo engine blew up, billowing smoke.
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It was hovering over RAF Odiham, Hants — home of the Special Forces flight — on Friday, waiting for two others to join it in formation.
The pilots managed to swerve away from the runway and slammed into the grassy verge, missing the other Chinooks.
The £30million aircraft was badly damaged but no one was hurt.
A source said: “This could have led to a loss of aircraft and life.”
The cause of the crash is not yet known – but other aircraft have not been grounded.
SAS troops in Cyprus are braced to rescue Brits trapped in Lebanon.
The RAF said: “A Chinook suffered engine failure and is in for repair.
“There is no impact to the rest of the fleet.”
