Snow Eagle crashes in the Antarctic
By Wang Qingchu |
December 10, 2011, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
TWO air crew members survived after a Chinese polar exploration helicopter crashed in the Antarctic in the early hours of yesterday, the State Oceanic Administration said yesterday.
The helicopter spun out of control while it was returning to the Xuelong, or Snow Dragon, icebreaker after unloading goods at the Zhongshan research station at a shelf ice area, the Chinese Antarctic exploration team said, according to a statement posted on the SOA website.
The crew were unable to make an emergency landing and the helicopter, known by the explorers as Xueying, or Snow Eagle, crashed at around 0:20am Beijing time.
The two aircrew were taken to the Xuelong for treatment. One suffered slight scratches, SOA said.
The SOA has ordered the exploration team to suspend all activities, collect wreckage and investigate the accident, the statement said.
It is unknown whether the crash was caused by mechanical problems or harsh weather conditions, Qu Tanyu, head of the pole exploration office of the SOA, told China National Radio yesterday.
Qu said it is now summer in Antarctica, when winds and thick fog are common, and these may have played a role. But they need to review the team report before reaching a conclusion, CNR reported.
As the helicopter crashed some distance from the Xuelong, it may be difficult for the team to retrieve all the wreckage. Some team members would be dispatched to the site to take photographs and footage, Qu added.
A safety education campaign and checks have been launched by the exploration team following the accident, Qu said.
Liu Tiexiong, vice general manager of Citic General Aviation Co, the helicopter's operator, told Xinhua news agency, "Before the expedition set off, we made complete maintenance checks on the helicopter, and our pilots are very experienced."
The Ka-32, purchased at US$8.5 million from Russia in December 2008, began to serve in Chinese Antarctic expeditions in 2009 and was taking part in its third voyage.
It is a variant of Ka-27 - a military helicopter for ferrying and anti-submarine warfare - and is mainly for civil transport use. The Ka-32 has two turboprop engines which provide higher power and safety under extreme conditions.
The helicopter joined the team to bring supplies, including organic vegetables, to Zhongshan and Changcheng research stations, China News Service reported earlier.
The helicopter spun out of control while it was returning to the Xuelong, or Snow Dragon, icebreaker after unloading goods at the Zhongshan research station at a shelf ice area, the Chinese Antarctic exploration team said, according to a statement posted on the SOA website.
The crew were unable to make an emergency landing and the helicopter, known by the explorers as Xueying, or Snow Eagle, crashed at around 0:20am Beijing time.
The two aircrew were taken to the Xuelong for treatment. One suffered slight scratches, SOA said.
The SOA has ordered the exploration team to suspend all activities, collect wreckage and investigate the accident, the statement said.
It is unknown whether the crash was caused by mechanical problems or harsh weather conditions, Qu Tanyu, head of the pole exploration office of the SOA, told China National Radio yesterday.
Qu said it is now summer in Antarctica, when winds and thick fog are common, and these may have played a role. But they need to review the team report before reaching a conclusion, CNR reported.
As the helicopter crashed some distance from the Xuelong, it may be difficult for the team to retrieve all the wreckage. Some team members would be dispatched to the site to take photographs and footage, Qu added.
A safety education campaign and checks have been launched by the exploration team following the accident, Qu said.
Liu Tiexiong, vice general manager of Citic General Aviation Co, the helicopter's operator, told Xinhua news agency, "Before the expedition set off, we made complete maintenance checks on the helicopter, and our pilots are very experienced."
The Ka-32, purchased at US$8.5 million from Russia in December 2008, began to serve in Chinese Antarctic expeditions in 2009 and was taking part in its third voyage.
It is a variant of Ka-27 - a military helicopter for ferrying and anti-submarine warfare - and is mainly for civil transport use. The Ka-32 has two turboprop engines which provide higher power and safety under extreme conditions.
The helicopter joined the team to bring supplies, including organic vegetables, to Zhongshan and Changcheng research stations, China News Service reported earlier.
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