Malaysia
Tragedy during test flight: Ten victims after helicopter crash
The rescue service and fire department inspect the crash site. photo
© Terence Tan/Fire & Rescue Department of Malaysia/AP/dpa
In Malaysia, the military is practicing formation flying with helicopters for a parade. Suddenly a collision occurs – with tragic consequences.
Ten crew members were killed, the Malaysian newspaper “The Star” reported, citing the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN). The collision occurred tomorrow (local time) over a Navy stadium in the west coast town of Lumut.
According to the Navy, one of the helicopters crashed into stairs at the stadium and the other crashed into a swimming pool at an adjacent sports center. Photos showed the completely destroyed remains of the helicopters. The cause of the accident was initially unclear. An investigative commission should help clarify the matter.
According to Channel News Asia (CNA), the flights were part of rehearsals for the Southeast Asian country’s 90th Navy Day parade, which is scheduled to take place in a few days. The helicopters were a Eurocopter Fennec and an Agusta-Westland AW139.