too young to die
25th Oct 2006, 03:28
Anyone have any info on what happened to the MI8 that went down close to Khost July 27 2006?
Strange, have not seen or heard much about what exactly happened?
Trying Hard
25th Oct 2006, 13:54
Helicopter International magazine lists the following:-
"26 July Mil Mi-8MTV of Afghan Special Narcotics Forces crashed 35km (21miles) from Khost,southeastern Afghanistan. 16 fatal."
Cyclic Hotline
25th Oct 2006, 14:22
Weather, pilot blamed in Nepal crash
KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) - A preliminary investigation blames both bad weather and pilot errors for a helicopter crash in eastern Nepal last month that killed a Canadian conservationist, a cabinet minister and 22 other people on a WWF-chartered flight, an official said Wednesday.
Civil Aviation Minister Pradeep Gyawali said a preliminary report by investigators maintained that the pilot was flying too low in mountainous terrain despite bad weather that should have prompted him to fly at a higher altitude where it would have been safer.
The pilot was trying to manoeuvre between mountains in poor visibility due to fog and rain, he said.
The Russian-built MI-17 helicopter chartered by the conservation group WWF crashed in the mountainous area 400 kilometres east of Kathmandu on Sept. 23.
The crash killed Canadian conservationist Jennifer Headley, Nepalese Forest Minister Gopal Rai, Finnish Embassy Charge d'Affaires Pauli Mustonen and USAID Deputy Director in Nepal Margaret Alexander.
WWF said seven of its employees were among the victims, including Headley, four Nepalis, an Australian, and an American. The victims also included Nepali journalists, government officials and four crew members - two Russians and two Nepalis.
A full report on the investigation into the crash was expected in a few weeks.
The wreckage was found only two days after the crash, which took place in barely accessible terrain that made the recovery operations difficult.
The downed helicopter left Ghunsa village - where the passengers had visited a WWF project, but failed to arrive at Suketar village, its intended destination, a 20-minute flight away.