Military helicopter down in Cumberland County

The OH-58D Kiowa helicopter landed in a field off N.C. Highway 217 shortly after 2 p.m.

Officials said the aircraft had a mechanical problem, and since it has only one engine, the crew immediately set it down.

The hard landing left the aircraft with a bent tail, but it was unclear if there was any other damage. Officials said neither of the two crew members was injured, but they were taken to Womack Army Hospital on post for evaluations.

"All we know right now is (the helicopter) had some mechanical issues," Fort Bragg spokesman Lt. Col. David Connolly said. "We'll get it thoroughly investigated to see what exactly happened."

Paratroopers often train in Kiowas, which are used for reconnaissance, in the Linden area, and a man who lives nearby said the engine of the helicopter in Thursday's incident sounded different than the aircraft he's heard over his house in the past.

Connolly praised the two paratroopers for landing the helicopter in an area where it didn't pose a risk to anyone on the ground.