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2008 Macedonian Armed Forces Mil Mi-17 crash 

2008 Macedonian Armed Forces Mi-17 crash
Summary
Date January 12, 2008
Type Weather-related crash
Site Near Skopje, Republic of Macedonia
Passengers 8
Crew 3
Fatalities 11
Survivors none
Aircraft type Mil Mi-17
Operator Army of the Republic of Macedonia
Tail number VAM-303
Flight origin Camp Butir, Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Destination Skopje Airport

The 2008 Macedonian Armed Forces Mil Mi-17 crash occurred on Saturday, January 12, 2008, when a Mil Mi-17 transport helicopter belonging to the Armed Forces of the Republic of Macedonia, crashed 50–100 metres[1][2] from the village of Blace, situated in the region of Katlanovo[3], approximately 10–15 kilometres south-east of Skopje, Republic of Macedonia[4] due to low visibility caused by heavy fog. All 11 individuals aboard the helicopter, including 8 passengers and 3 crew members, were killed in the crash.

Contents

Incident

The incident took place at approximately 11:00 a.m. (GMT). The helicopter was returning from a EUFOR peace keeping mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina and started to experience foggy conditions[5] whilst preparing to land at their destination — The Skopje Airport[2]. The crash was reported by two local fishermen who claimed they saw the helicopter flying unusually low. A witness stated that "The engine of the helicopter did not sound like it worked well..."[2] Witnesses also reported seeing a "fireball" as the helicopter became engulfed in flames following impact.[4] This was subsequently followed by a series of explosions, possibly triggered by a supply of kerosene or ammunition.[2]

Reactions

Upon arriving the at the scene of the event, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Macedonia, Nikola Gruevski, said; "This is a terrible accident, a great tragedy and a great loss. I express my deepest and sincerest condolences to the families of the victims. An investigation is starting that will identify the cause of the accident."[4][2][5]

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Branko Crvenkovski, also expressed his sympathy for the lives lost, stating: "We have not seen such a tragic lost [sic] of Macedonian soldiers in the country's recent history..."[6]

Aftermath

In the immediate aftermath of the crash, only seven soldiers were fully identified[7]. After the identification of all victims involved in the crash, it was reported that a total of eleven military personnel between the ages of 26 and 40 had been killed in the crash[6].

Following the incident, the Government of the Republic of Macedonia created a special body to lead the investigation into the cause of the crash[6].

References

  1. ^ Macedonia military chopper crashes, no survivors ABC News. Sunday, January 13, 2008.
  2. ^ a b c d e Macedonian helicopter crash kills 11 soldiers by Goran Trajkov. Southeast European Times. 14 January 2008.
  3. ^ 11 ARM soldiers die in copter crash near Katlanovo Macedonian Information Agency.
  4. ^ a b c Macedonia crash kills 11 soldiers BBC. Saturday, January 12, 2008.
  5. ^ a b Macedonian Army Helicopter Crash Kills 11 FOXNews. Saturday, January 12, 2008.
  6. ^ a b c 11 Helicopter Crash Victims Buried in Macedonia Novinite. 16 January 2008.
  7. ^ Macedonian military helicopter crash kills 11 Reuters. 12 January 2008.

External links
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