1.   A rescue helicopter on Tuesday airlifted three people by rope from the wrecked aircraft, including the pilot, Col. Long Vichet, who suffered two broken legs.

2.   Wrecked aircraft still litter the runway, hangars are flattened and aviation fuel storage tanks need repairing.

3.   The troops would be based at Kabul airport, which is still littered with debris from wrecked aircraft, unexploded ordnance and landmines, the sources said.

4.   The helicopter rotor clipped the mountainside and the pilot, who was killed instantly, was found still strapped inside the wrecked aircraft.