US helicopter makes hard landing in Iraq, no oneinjured

An Army helicopter made a "hard landing" in northern Iraq and preliminary reports indicated a mechanical problem, the military said Thursday. The two crew members were rescued unharmed.

The U.S. Army OH-58 Kiowa helicopter, mostly used in surveillance and light attacks, came down south of Kirkuk, said a military statement.

"Preliminary reporting shows the cause of the hard landing was mechanical and not hostile fire," it said.

Last week, ground fire forced the downing of a Black Hawk north of Baghdad, the military said. At least eight U.S. helicopters have crashed or been brought down by hostile fire this year in Iraq, the AP  reports.