Due to the presence of both fuel and ammunition that were stored below decks, the incendiary effect of the unburnt propellant from the missiles caused an uncontrollable fire. When the fire had burnt out, the ship was boarded but nothing was recovered. While under tow by the requisitioned tug "Irishman", "Atlantic Conveyor" sank in the early morning of 28 May 1982. Six Westland Wessexes, three Boeing Chinooks, and a Westland Lynx were destroyed by fire; only one Chinook (ZA718 'Bravo November') and one Westland Wessex, were saved. The loss of these helicopters meant that British troops had to march on foot across the Falklands to recapture Stanley.