By AP and published by Yahoo!News
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Two Malaysian military helicopters collided and crashed during a training session today (Apr. 23), killing all 10 people on board, the navy said.
The helicopters were rehearsing at a naval base in northern Perak state for the navy’s 90th anniversary celebration next month when the accident occurred, the navy said in a brief statement.
“All victims were confirmed dead on site,” it said, adding that the remains have been sent to the hospital to be identified.
Seven crew members were aboard the AW139 maritime operation helicopter, the navy said. That aircraft is produced by AgustaWestland, which is a subsidiary of the Italian defence contractor Leonardo. Three other crew members were on a Fennec lightweight helicopter, manufactured by European multinational defence conglomerate Airbus.
Local media reported that the AW139 crashed at a sports complex at the naval base, while the Fennec hit a nearby swimming pool.
The navy said it will launch an investigation to determine what caused the accident.
Meanwhile, an initial analysis of flight data recorders recovered from the crash of two Japanese navy helicopters showed no sign of mechanical problems, Japan’s defence minister said yesterday, indicating likely human error. One of the eight crew members died and a search is continuing for the seven others.
Defence Minister Minoru Kihara said an initial analysis of data from the two flight data recorders on each helicopter showed no abnormality during their flight and that mechanical failure was most likely not the cause of the crash.
The two SH-60K reconnaissance helicopters from the Maritime Self-Defence Force lost contact late Saturday during nighttime anti-submarine training near Torishima island, about 600 kilometres (370 miles) south of Tokyo, officials said.
A crew member who was recovered early Sunday from the water was later pronounced dead. Searches continued yesterday for the seven who were still missing, along with the fuselage of the aircraft. The seabed at the crash site east of Torishima is about 5.5 kilometres (3.4 miles) deep and the recovery is considered a challenge.
Officials believe the two helicopters likely came too close and collided, Kihara said.
The flight data recorders from the two aircraft were found close together, along with a blade from each helicopter, a number of helmets and fragments believed to be from both aircraft — signs the two SH-60Ks crashed almost at the same spot, officials said.
CAPTIONS:
Top: Image from footage published on local media shows the Royal Malaysian Navy’s helicopters colliding mid-air over a naval base in Perak on Apr. 23, 2024. Photo: Cyprus Mail
Front Page: In this photo released by the Fire & Rescue Department of Malaysia, fire and rescue department officials inspect the crash site of two helicopters in Lumur, Perak state today, April 23, 2024. Photo: Terence Tan/Ministry of Communications and Information via AP and published by Yahoo!News
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