Helicopter Crash in Reservoir: Investigation into Deteriorating Aircraft in [Country]

◀ Anchor ▶

Two days ago, a civilian helicopter crashed into a reservoir and the pilot died.

While the authorities have begun investigating the cause, it is being pointed out that the helicopters operating in the country are seriously deteriorating.

Reporter Byun Yun-jae covered the story.

◀ Report ▶

A helicopter approaches the surface of a reservoir and suddenly loses its center of gravity and plummets.

The captain in his 60s, who was riding alone, was found dead.

Today, two days after the accident, the aircraft was salvaged.

The window glass disappeared without a trace, and the propeller was bent helplessly.

The severed part of the tail also appeared above the water.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s Aviation and Railroad Investigation Committee, which took over the broken aircraft, began to determine the cause, whether it was a defect in the aircraft or poor handling.

However, since there is no black box, the investigation is expected to take nearly a year.

[국토교통부 항공철도사고조사위 관계자 (음성변조)]

″According to the Aviation Safety Act, black boxes are currently required only for vehicles over 3,000 kg, and since this is currently in the 2,250 kg class, black boxes are not currently required.″

The accident helicopter was an old model that had been in operation for 43 years.

It is said that there are no safety issues if major parts are replaced on time, but for older models, this is easier said than done.

[최연철 교수/한서대 헬리콥터조종학과]

″If parts are 40 years old, they are no longer produced. Then, bring a used one or do something else.”

The forest fire extinguishing helicopter that crashed while transporting materials for transmission tower repairs in Yeongwol, Gangwon-do in March of this year was the same 28-year-old model.

There are 134 helicopters operated by 14 domestic civil aviation companies.

The average age is 29 years, and 7 out of 10 aircraft are classified as ‘old helicopters’ and are over 20 years old.

Experts point out that the use of old models is increasing as efforts are made to reduce the cost burden.

[최연철 교수/한서대 헬리콥터조종학과]

″The plane that crashed in Yangyang (last year) and this plane are both really old. 40 years is 40 years… Is it appropriate for these planes to put out forest fires?”

The helicopter that crashed the day before yesterday was a model leased by Pocheon City to monitor forest fires, and suffered damage while conducting a performance inspection.

However, the captain, who is presumed to have drowned according to the first findings of the autopsy, is expected to not be able to receive compensation for his sacrifice in the line of duty as he had an accident the day before the rental contract began.

This is Byun Yun-jae from MBC News.

Video coverage: Lee Kwan-ho / Video editing: Kim Jong-un

2023-10-05 11:18:24
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