Helicopter crashes during training exercise in Kaohsiung City
Five people walked away from a helicopter crash unharmed at Kaohsiung City’s Xiaogang International Airport this afternoon, April 7.
At 3:35 pm, the National Airborne Service Corps AS-365 Dauphin helicopter suddenly fell onto the tarmac from an altitude of around 30 feet, according to reports in Liberty Times and United Daily News.
The aircraft and crew were taking part in emergency response training at the time, and practicing vertical take-off and landing.
The aircraft hit the tarmac then landed on its side, sheering off the four rotor blades. Fuel leaked onto the tarmac, but fortunately there was no fire, and the crew of five climbed out of the wrecked helicopter without assistance.
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The airport runway was closed for four hours after the crash, causing delays to 14 domestic, and one international flight.
The model AS-365N2 had been in service since 1993. The cause of the accident is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Management Committee.
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