One killed, another injured in Air Force chopper crash

Yuli Tri Suwarni ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Bandung   |  Wed, 03/12/2008 1:32 AM  |  Headlines

An Air Force training chopper crashed into a sugarcane plantation and burst into flames in Manyingsal village in Subang regency, West Java, on Tuesday morning, killing the pilot and seriously wounding a crew member.

The pilot has been identified as First Lt. Hengki Jaya and the injured man as Second Airman Ridi.

Subang Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Sugiono said the chopper caught fire at approximately 11 a.m. as a number of villagers from Manyingsal arrived at the scene.

The villagers were unable to help the pilot who suffered serious burns to his body, Sugiono said.

"Air Force personnel took the wreckage to their base at around 2 p.m. for further investigation," Sugiono said.

Ridi was reportedly badly burned but still conscious when he was rushed to Dr. Salamun Air Force Hospital in Ciumbeuliut, Bandung.

He arrived at the hospital at 2:30 p.m. and was immediately admitted to intensive care.

Doctor Regi Praditya Adi said the victim suffered second-degree burns to 45 percent of his body and he was being closely monitored.

"The victim sustained burns on his hands, legs and neck, but he is still conscious and able to communicate well with the doctors," Dr. Regi said.

Commander of the Suryadarma Air Base in Subang, Col. Hendro Wibowo, said the helicopter, registered number H 4712, took off from the base at 10:30 a.m. before it lost contact at 11:15 a.m. while flying over Subang.

The crash site was located about 12 kilometers from the air base.

"We are still ascertaining the cause of crash, so just wait until investigations are over," Hendro said over the phone from Bandung on Tuesday afternoon.

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