Huge Chinook Helicopter Airlifts Damaged Helicopter Off Mountain Ledge

A huge CH-47F Chinook helicopter has lifted a damaged Guardia Civil EC-135 from a narrow mountain ledge at Refugio Victory in the Sierra de Gredos.

The EC-135, callsign Cuco 320, damaged a main-rotor blade while landing on the tight ledge used as a helipad during a mountain mission. The crew managed to get the helicopter onto the ledge, and no injuries were reported.

With no road available, FAMET and Guardia Civil technicians prepared the aircraft for a sling lift. The Chinook, from Batallón de Helicópteros de Transporte V (BHELTRA V) and based at Colmenar Viejo, then lifted the EC-135 on a long line and carried it away from the mountain.

The recovery took place on September 18, 2026, at Refugio Victory in Guisando, Ávila.

The same ledge was the site of a similar EC-135 recovery in April 2013.