A CHINOOK from an Oxfordshire RAF base has got bogged down in a muddy field after making a precautionary landing.

The twin-engined helicopter from 28 Squadron based at RAF Benson landed in a field near Wantage on Tuesday following a mechanical issue.

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But the aircraft sank into the field, likely due to the amount of wet weather that the region has experienced recently.

RAF Benson's engineers were deployed to the site to assess the mechanical issue which has now been fixed.

Oxford Mail: Chinook stuck in the mud. Pic: RAF Benson

However the extremely soft ground made the recovery of the heavy-lift helicopter to the base very difficult.

A tri-service team of specialists worked hard to safely remove the aircraft from the mud, but while it was hoped that it could simply be dug out and then flown home, the risk of damage to the aircraft was assessed as significant and other options are being explored.

A crane could potentially be used to lift it from the mud.

RAF Benson said on Facebook: "We hope to have the aircraft home by the end of the week.

"We are extremely thankful to the landowners for their understanding and support during this work, particularly the kindness they’ve shown to our team guarding the aircraft during some very cold nights."

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