Follow up on South Korean Helicopter crash

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Haste' caused crash of chopper: Army

혻혻 By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, April 28 (Yonhap) -- Taking an unfamiliar route to get home early led to the crash of an Army helicopter that took the lives of seven service members in February, the Army said Monday, wrapping up its two-month probe into the cause of the crash.

혻혻 "Our investigation at the crash site confirmed that the aircraft maintained normal flight status until the very last moment and that all its gauges were also fuctioning normally," an Army official told reporters.

혻혻 "Following a close investigation, we confirmed there were no mechanical problems with the aircraft," the official added.

혻 혻 The helicopter, a UH-1H, crashed into the top ridgeline of a mountain in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province, shortly after midnight on Feb. 20 after it had dropped off an emergency patient at a military hospital just south of Seoul. On board were two Army pilots, two medical officers and three enlisted members.

혻혻 "On its way to transport the patient, the helicopter flew a route connecting Cheoljeong and the hospital through Gwangtan and Yangpyeong, but on its way back it took a shortcut that cuts directly through Yangpyeong," the Army official said.

혻 혻 The official added an examination of the flight data recorder confirmed the pilots had lost physical sight of the terrain after being confronted by a sudden fog bank and crashed while attempting to exit the fog.

혻혻 The outcome of the investigation will not affect how the Army handles the death of the service members, but at least seven, including the commander of the crashed aircraft's aviation unit, will be referred to the review board, Army officials said.

혻혻 "The Army will take appropriate measures to reward meritorious services and punish those at fault," the Army said in a press release.

혻혻 "The Army again offers its deepest condolence to the families of those who gave their lives while trying to save the life of their brother in uniform," it said.

혻혻 Meanwhile, the Air Force said Monday it has also concluded its probe into the crash of a reconnaissance plane earlier in the month that found neither technical defects nor pilot mistakes.

혻혻 The April 7 crash was caused by what Air Force officials called a "human factor," in which the aircraft became incapacitated due to excessive maneuvering beyond its mechanical capabilities.

혻혻 "A human factor is different from a mistake as it refers to mechanical failure of an aircraft due to maneuvering over the plane's limits, which pilots are trained to avoid but are also asked to push the limits in everyday exercises," a spokesman for the Air Force said.

혻혻 The RF-4C aircraft crashed while conducting a flight exercise. Its two pilots ejected just before the crash. One of the pilots has returned to the base and will soon fly again after he passes the flight aptitude test, according to the spokesman.

혻혻 bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)
Link
http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/national/2008/04/28/25/0301000000AEN20080428002500315F.HTML
 
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