Officials report sixth helicopter downing in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Feb 8 (Reuters) A helicopter operated by a private security firm came down in Iraq last week, US officials said day, an incident that marks the sixth downing of a helicopter in three weeks.

Reports of the January. 31 incident, in which no one was killed, come a day after seven crew members and passengers aboard a US Marine helicopter were killed when it crashed near Baghdad, possibly after being hit by ground fire.

The US military, concerned that militants have changed tactics or are using more sophisticated weapons, has said it is adjusting its tactics.

One US military official told Reuters he had heard reports that the private security helicopter came down under fire.

''It did not crash, it made a hard landing. They were able to get all crew and equipment out,'' the official said.

The New York Times, quoting American officials, reported the helicopter was shot down south of Baghdad after insurgents attacked it with heavy-calibre ground fire.

An American helicopter swooped in to rescue the passengers and crew, it said. It was unclear how many people were on board.

US embassy spokesman Lou Fintor told reporters the January 31 incident was under investigation.

The cause of yesteray's crash in Anbar province, heartland of the Sunni rebellion in Iraq, is under investigation.

Witnesses reported seeing the Sea Knight transport helicopter in trouble amid gunfire from the ground, although some media reports said mechanical failure might be to blame.

The US military has confirmed that four of the six helicopters to come down in Iraq since January 20 were hit by ground fire.

In all, 28 US servicemen and private security contractors have been killed in the helicopter crashes.

REUTERS MS VC1416