US helicopter crashes in Afghanistan The Taliban routinely claim responsibility for every helicopter crash and have succeeded in downing several aircraft in recent years, sometimes causing heavy casualties. The heaviest death toll came in August 2011 when the Taliban shot down a Chinook helicopter in Wardak, killing 38. Afghanistan's extreme climate and mountains also exact a heavy toll on helicopters and the Nato-led coalition says most crashes are accidents. A statement from Nato headquarters in Kabul said the coalition was "still in the process of assessing the circumstances to determine more facts. However, all crew members have been recovered with no reported fatalities and the site of the incident is secure.