U.S. helicopter crashes near Baghdad

Saturday, April 1, 2006; Posted: 12:51 p.m. EST (17:51 GMT)

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- A U.S. military helicopter crashed Saturday southwest of Baghdad, the military said in a statement.

"The status of the crew is unknown," the brief statement said.

Officials said the helicopter was on a "combat air patrol" and came down at about 5:30 p.m. (9:30 a.m. ET).

The statement added: "All additional information is being withheld pending investigation and notification of next of kin," the statement said.