Yeongwol Helicopter Crash Reveals 'Flight with Different Purpose' Fact

Gangwon-do Signs Lease Contract for Wildfire Suppression
Helicopter Company Recalls Aircraft for 'Maintenance Reasons' Before Deploying for Material Transport

In Yeongwol, Gangwon Province, a helicopter that crashed while transporting transmission tower construction materials was initially leased for wildfire suppression purposes. Following this revelation, the police and aviation investigation authorities have launched an inquiry into why the accident helicopter flew for purposes different from its original mission.

On the 16th, the police and Seoul Regional Aviation Office stated, "We have begun an investigation to clarify why the accident helicopter was used to transport construction materials, contrary to the flight purpose recorded in the flight plan."

Yeongwol Helicopter Crash Site [Image Source=Yonhap News]

According to the police, the accident helicopter is a small model with a water tank capacity of 910L, manufactured in 1995, making it 28 years old. Gangwon Province had leased it for wildfire suppression until May.

However, the helicopter company retrieved it from Gangwon Province on the 9th due to "maintenance reasons," excluding it from wildfire suppression duties, and deployed it for a three-day schedule starting on the 10th for transmission tower reinforcement construction.

Subsequently, the helicopter company reportedly informed Gangwon Province that it would send a replacement helicopter. After the accident, the company has not clearly explained the circumstances of operating the helicopter for purposes other than the original mission.

The flight plan submitted to the Seoul Regional Aviation Office indicated patrols over Chuncheon and Hongcheon, but in reality, the helicopter was transporting cargo. Materials for transmission tower reinforcement construction were found at the accident site.

Park Tae-gyu, head of the Aviation Safety Division at the Seoul Regional Aviation Office, said, "We plan to examine whether the flight was conducted in compliance with the Aviation Act as submitted and whether the aircraft underwent regular inspections before takeoff."

The police and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board are investigating the exact cause and circumstances of the accident, including why the helicopter did not operate according to the flight plan.

Regarding the cause of the helicopter crash, various possibilities are being considered, including the helicopter entangling with transmission lines.

Earlier, at around 7:46 a.m. on the 15th, a civilian helicopter of the AS350B2 model crashed into a mountainside near Gonggi-ri, Buk-myeon, Yeongwol County.

As a result of the accident, the pilot, Mr. No (64), and a transmission tower construction worker, Mr. Lee (56), were found in cardiac arrest and were rescued by 119 emergency services and transported to the hospital, but both ultimately passed away.