Another Helicopter Accident Just 10 Days After Last Month's Crash
A Pilot with 44 Years of Disaster Rescue Experience
Captain Jeong Gung-ho (74), the pilot of the wildfire suppression helicopter that crashed in Daegu, is reported to be a veteran who has been at the controls for over 40 years.
At around 3:41 PM on the 6th, a helicopter engaged in wildfire suppression efforts crashed in Seobyeon-dong, Buk-gu, Daegu, resulting in the death of the pilot (74). The photo shows the accident scene. Photo by Yonhap News
On the 7th, Yonhap News reported that Captain Jeong has been a veteran pilot flying helicopters for 44 years since 1981. From 1985, he served for 25 years in local aviation units such as the Chungnam and Gyeonggi Police Agencies, arriving first at various disaster rescue sites and saving lives. He once rescued hikers with fractures by helicopter and during holiday seasons with increased traffic, such as major holidays and summer vacations, he stayed away from home to manage air traffic and provide prompt traffic information. As of June 2010, when he completed his police service, his total flight time was about 5,000 hours.
Even after retirement, Captain Jeong was always near disaster sites. Since 2017, he transferred to an airline company located in Yeongdeok-gun, Gyeongbuk Province, and was assigned to pilot a leased helicopter in Dong-gu, Daegu. It is known that he lived apart from his family while operating the wildfire helicopter.
Those around him remember Captain Jeong as a helicopter pilot with a strong sense of responsibility. Fellow helicopter pilots recall him as a warm and caring senior who would make time to give advice or buy meals when visited. One colleague said, "The wind was quite strong in Daegu, and it is heartbreaking to hear that he died shortly after dispatch."
Captain Jeong died on the 6th after falling from a helicopter while extinguishing a wildfire in Seobyeon-dong, Buk-gu, Daegu. The helicopter was a BELL 206L model leased from Dong-gu Office, confirmed to be an aging helicopter over 44 years old.
Daegu Dong-gu Office and Buk-gu Office announced plans to set up a condolence altar for Captain Jeong. They also plan to apply to the Ministry of Personnel Management to have him recognized as a fallen officer.
Meanwhile, on the 26th of last month, pilot Park Hyun-woo (73) died when a firefighting helicopter crashed while extinguishing a large wildfire that spread to four nearby cities and counties in Sinpyeong-myeon, Uiseong-gun, Gyeongbuk Province. The helicopter was an S-76 model leased from Inje-gun, Gangwon Province, with a water capacity of 1,200 liters, produced in July 1995 and operated for nearly 30 years.
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