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GAPYEONG, South Korea — A South Korean Army attack helicopter crashed during a specialized training maneuver in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, on Monday morning, resulting in the deaths of both pilots on board. The incident has raised immediate concerns regarding the aging fleet of the military's attack helicopters.
Incident Details
According to the Republic of Korea Army and emergency responders, an AH-1S Cobra attack helicopter, assigned to an aviation battalion under the 15th Aviation Group of the 5th Corps, went down at approximately 11:04 AM on February 9. The crash occurred near Shinha Bridge in Hyeon-ri, Jojong-myeon, Gapyeong County.
The aircraft had departed from its home base at 9:45 AM to conduct emergency procedure training. This specific type of drill simulates critical mechanical failures, requiring pilots to practice emergency landings to prepare for real-world contingencies. Roughly one hour and twenty minutes into the flight, the aircraft plummeted.
Casualties
The two occupants, both holding the rank of Warrant Officer, were identified as the primary pilot and co-pilot. They were aged in their 50s and 30s, respectively.
First responders from the fire department reported that both individuals were found in cardiac arrest at the crash site. Despite being rushed to private hospitals in the neighboring cities of Namyangju and Pocheon, they were tragically pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Response and Investigation
In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, the Army took the following steps:
Fleet Grounding: All AH-1S Cobra helicopters have been grounded indefinitely pending a safety review.
Disaster Headquarters: An accident investigation committee has been established, led by Ha Heon-cheol, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics (acting as Vice Chief of Staff).
Site Recovery: Military and fire authorities are currently securing the wreckage to determine whether the crash was caused by mechanical failure, pilot error, or environmental factors.
Concerns Over Aging Equipment
The crash has reignited a heated debate over the safety of the Army’s aging hardware. The downed helicopter was manufactured in the United States in 1991, making it 35 years old.
The South Korean military currently operates approximately 60 AH-1S Cobras, most of which were produced between 1988 and 1991. While these aircraft are scheduled for phased retirement starting in 2028, critics argue that the timeline may be too slow. This is not the first major incident involving this model; in 2018, an AH-1S was forced to make an emergency landing after its main rotor blade completely detached from the fuselage during flight.
The Army has expressed deep condolences to the families of the fallen pilots and has promised a transparent investigation into the cause of the disaster.
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