Singapore's Apache AH-64 Helicopter Crash-Lands

An Apache helicopter from Singapore's air force crash-landed in an open field in a residential district today but no-one was injured, the defense ministry said.

"A Republic of Singapore Air Force Apache AH-64 helicopter has made an emergency landing... There has been no damage to civilian property or injury to personnel reported," the defense ministry said in a statement.

An AFP photographer at the site said the tail of the light attack helicopter had broken off from its main body and was lying about 70 meters (yards) away.

About a dozen air force engineers clad in black uniforms were sifting through the debris and a crane stood by to clear the rubble, he added.

A witness told the Straits Times newspaper the helicopter had circled in the air and descended rapidly before crash-landing on the barren field.

The Apache AH-64, built by U.S. aviation giant Boeing, is a four-blade, twin-engine attack helicopter, and is used by the U.S., Israeli and Japanese militaries, among others.

Singapore has one of Asia's most advanced armed forces, and regularly takes part in military exercises with regional countries as well as the U.S. and China.