Nine survive military helicopter crash in Colombia

The Black Hawk helicopter went down Saturday in the San Jeronimo mountains, army aviation division commander Gen. Javier Rey said.

"The crew and the passengers are fine," Rey said.

The helicopter was providing support to a brigade fighting the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, guerrilla group, drug traffickers and other criminal organizations, the general said.

The accident occurred after the helicopter refueled, Rey said, adding that the aircraft had problems "with a crosswind" that forced it to the ground.

The crew's skill was key in preventing the helicopter from being completely destroyed, the general said.

The helicopter was damaged in the accident, but it can be repaired and return to service, Rey said.