By NOOR KHAN
Associated Press Writer
Posted February 18 2007, 7:52 AM EST

SHAHJOI, Afghanistan — Eight U.S. troops were killed and 14 wounded when a military helicopter crashed Sunday in southeastern Afghanistan after reporting engine failure, the U.S.-led coalition said in a statement.

The CH-47 Chinook helicopter was carrying 22 passengers and had a “sudden, unexplained loss of power and control and crashed,” the statement said.

“It was not enemy fire related,” said Col. Tom Collins, spokesman for NATO’s International Security Assistance Force. “The pilot was able to radio in that he was having engine problems. We’re confident it was not due to enemy action.”

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