HCMC – The aviation authority has proposed investigating the cause of the April 5 deadly helicopter crash in Halong Bay, along with relevant agencies and the manufacturer of Bell 505 helicopters.
All relevant ministries and agencies, as well as the national design and manufacturing entities, the aircraft and engine manufacturers, should be joining the investigation, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV).
The aircraft manufacturer, Bell Helicopter, and the Canadian Transportation Safety Board previously wrote to CAAV proposing supporting the investigation.
A report from CAAV said that the Vietnam Helicopter Corporation operated two Bell 505 helicopters, VN-8650 and VN-8651. The two helicopters have completed 682 flight hours, carrying over 7,000 passengers for sightseeing tours.
The helicopter that crashed had 488 flight hours and completed 2,655 takeoffs and landings. The pilot held a commercial pilot license that is valid until June 2026.
The helicopter crashed on April 5 in the waters between Halong Bay of Quang Ninh Province and Lan Ha Bay of neighboring Haiphong City, leaving all the five people on board dead.
The rescue teams found the fifth victim of the helicopter crash near Cat Hai District, Haiphong City, hundreds of meters from where the helicopter’s wreckage was found.
