NewsWhore
01-11-2011, 03:30 PM
Helicopter specialists have arrived in the DR to investigate a crash involving a helicopter manned by Air Force pilots that was at the service of PRD presidential pre-candidate Miguel Vargas Maldonado. As reported in Listin Diario, the helicopter, which was on its way to pick up Vargas from La Romana to take him to a campaign event, was forced to make an emergency landing at 7:10am near the La Isabela Airport in northern Santo Domingo from where it took off.
The Bell 427, registration N-926-MF helicopter with a capacity for seven passengers, was totaled in the crash when the craft hit palm trees shortly after take off from the airport near Villa Mella.
Pilots Osvaldo Perez Feliz and Mario Rivas Diaz were injured. They are being treated at the Ramon de Lara Air Force Hospital, but are said to be recovering and are no longer in the Intensive Care Unit. Both suffered multiple traumas.
Diario Libre reports that three members of the Air Force and two members of Vargas security detail have impounded the wreckage of the helicopter as the investigating committee looks into the causes of the crash. As part of international helicopter crash protocol, Bell helicopter technicians have joined the investigating committee, which is headed by Air Force pilot Enmanuel Souffront, director of the Aviation Accidents Commission. Listin Diario reports that the helicopter was routinely used by Miguel Vargas in his political and private activities.
Another helicopter being used by Miguel Vargas crashed into houses in Santo Domingo during the 2008 presidential campaign, injuring the pilot.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#8)
The Bell 427, registration N-926-MF helicopter with a capacity for seven passengers, was totaled in the crash when the craft hit palm trees shortly after take off from the airport near Villa Mella.
Pilots Osvaldo Perez Feliz and Mario Rivas Diaz were injured. They are being treated at the Ramon de Lara Air Force Hospital, but are said to be recovering and are no longer in the Intensive Care Unit. Both suffered multiple traumas.
Diario Libre reports that three members of the Air Force and two members of Vargas security detail have impounded the wreckage of the helicopter as the investigating committee looks into the causes of the crash. As part of international helicopter crash protocol, Bell helicopter technicians have joined the investigating committee, which is headed by Air Force pilot Enmanuel Souffront, director of the Aviation Accidents Commission. Listin Diario reports that the helicopter was routinely used by Miguel Vargas in his political and private activities.
Another helicopter being used by Miguel Vargas crashed into houses in Santo Domingo during the 2008 presidential campaign, injuring the pilot.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#8)