The helicopter, a CH-53 Sea Stallion, went down in volatile Helmand province, one official who asked not to be named told AFP. One official confirmed the dead were members of the US military.[break]
"Initial indications are that this was not hostile fire," an official said.
In a brief statement, NATO´s International Security Assistance Force said the cause of the crash was "under investigation."
"However, initial reporting indicates there was no enemy activity in the area at the time of the crash," it said.
The Sea Stallion is a heavy transport aircraft capable of carrying about 40 people. US officials did not say whether anyone else was on board, other than the six victims.
In August, Taliban insurgents shot down a US Chinook helicopter -- the most deadly incident for US and NATO forces since the war in Afghanistan began in 2001.
Thirty US troops were killed in the attack, including 17 Navy SEALs and five other Navy sailors assigned to the SEAL unit. Seven Afghan troops and an interpreter were also killed.
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