Helicopter crash in eastern Venezuela kills 1

Helicopter crash in eastern Venezuela kills 1

2011-12-16 11:08:10 GMT+7 (ICT)

CARACAS, VENEZUELA (BNO NEWS) -- One person was killed on Thursday when a transport helicopter crashed in eastern Venezuela, officials said. The pilot survived the accident with minor injuries.

The Eurocopter BO-105 aircraft crashed at a parking lot belonging to the residential building 'Las Blanquillas', which is located in the Rosabella housing complex in the western area of Guayana City in Bolivar state. It was carrying out test flights near the city's Manuel Carlos Piar International Airport.

Bolivar State Civil Protection and Disaster Management chief Jose Garcia confirmed aeronautical technician Edsel Arturo Pacheco was killed in the crash. Pilot Pedro Malave, the only other person on board the aircraft, was taken to Ceciamb Clinic with only minor injuries.

Rescue crews arrived quickly at the scene following the accident and put out a fire which had broken out and destroyed three vehicles which were parked at the parking lot. There were no injuries on the ground.

Bolivar State Civil Security Secretary Julio Cesar Fuentes Manzulli said the helicopter was being tested after being repaired. For unknown reasons, which are still being investigated, the aircraft suddenly lost power and, while Malave tried to land on a street, he lost control of the aircraft and crashed at the parking lot.

The aircraft belongs to private transport company Puente Aereo de Venezuela.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-12-16