A training helicopter from the Bolivarian Military Aviation tragically crashed on Friday in the Aragua state, located in northern Venezuela. This accident resulted in the deaths of two officers from the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB), as confirmed by military authorities.
The incident occurred at 8:35 a.m. local time (12:35 GMT) in the San Vicente area of the Girardot municipality in Maracay. The aircraft, an Enstrom 480 with registration number YV3549, crashed without issuing any emergency communication.
Onboard were Major Noglys Carolina García, a flight instructor, and Sub-Lieutenant Carlos Alfonzo Castillo, a student pilot, both of whom lost their lives in the crash. Following the accident, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López stated that President Nicolás Maduro, as the commander-in-chief of the FANB, has ordered the formation of an Air Accident Investigation Board to determine the cause of the disaster.
"Investigations have been initiated to ascertain the potential causes," Padrino López declared in an official statement.
This tragic event comes just nine days after another aviation mishap in Venezuela, where a Venezuelan-registered Learjet 55 crashed shortly after taking off from the Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, injuring at least two people.
In recent years, incidents involving the Bolivarian Military Aviation have been alarmingly frequent. In July, another plane crash in the Amazonas state resulted in the deaths of seven people, including a co-pilot, as they were transporting members of the Yanomami indigenous community and National Electoral Council (CNE) officials during an electoral operation.
Venezuelan authorities have yet to release a preliminary report on the potential causes of this latest crash in Maracay. However, they assure that investigations are actively ongoing.
Understanding the Recent Military Helicopter Crash in Venezuela
What caused the military helicopter to crash in Venezuela?
The exact cause of the military helicopter crash in Venezuela is still under investigation. The Air Accident Investigation Board has been activated to determine the reasons behind the crash.
Who were the victims in the helicopter crash?
The victims of the helicopter crash were Major Noglys Carolina García, a flight instructor, and Sub-Lieutenant Carlos Alfonzo Castillo, a student pilot.
Has there been an increase in military aviation accidents in Venezuela?
Yes, there has been a concerning rise in military aviation accidents in Venezuela in recent years, with several incidents reported, including one in July that resulted in seven fatalities.