Apache helicopter crashes in Alabama, killing Dutch instructor

Apache helicopter crashes in Alabama, killing Dutch instructor

2011-04-29 06:26:07 GMT+7 (ICT)

MONROEVILLE, ALABAMA (BNO NEWS) -- A Dutch instructor pilot was killed on Thursday afternoon when the Apache helicopter he was flying crashed in the U.S. state of Alabama, officials said.

The accident happened at around noon local time when the Boeing AH-64 Apache helicopter went down in the vicinity of Monroeville, a city in Monroe County. It was carrying an instructor pilot and a student, both whom are Dutch citizens.

The instructor pilot was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, while the student pilot escaped without injuries. They were on a routine training flight.

A statement from the Dutch Ministry of Defense identified the pilot as Captain Van de Perre. "Our thoughts are with his wife, parents, family, and other relatives and colleagues," said Jac Jansen, Commander of the Royal Netherlands Air Force.

The helicopter was coming from Fort Rucker, an American base which is being used by service members of the Dutch Air Force to be trained to become a helicopter pilot.

The cause of the accident is being investigated.

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