By The wreckage of a Cambodian military helicopter that disappeared over two weeks ago has been located in the densely forested Cardamom Mountains, according to reports from the country’s defense ministry and state news agency. The discovery comes 17 days after the aircraft, carrying two pilots, went missing during a training flight.
A search flight on Monday spotted the debris of the Chinese-made Z-9 helicopter in the southwestern province of Pursat. The Defense Ministry, in a statement posted on its Facebook page, confirmed the sighting but noted that recovery efforts would be challenging due to the dense forest and adverse weather conditions.
While the ministry’s statement did not mention any survivors or casualties, the state news agency AKP, citing an unnamed senior defense official, reported that the body of one pilot had been spotted. The recovery team has been tasked with searching for the second pilot.
The helicopter lost contact with air force headquarters on July 12 while flying in poor weather conditions. An intensive search operation was launched the following day, culminating in today’s discovery.
A widely shared photo on social media purportedly shows the helicopter broken into several pieces and partially obscured by foliage. However, the authenticity of this image has not been immediately verified.
The Z-9 helicopter, a Chinese-manufactured aircraft, has been involved in previous incidents in Cambodia. In 2014, another Z-9 crashed into a pond south of Phnom Penh, resulting in the deaths of two air force generals and two pilots.
As recovery efforts begin, the rugged terrain and inclement weather pose significant challenges for the rescue teams. The Cardamom Mountains, known for their dense forests and diverse ecosystem, present a formidable obstacle to reaching the crash site.
This incident highlights the risks associated with military aviation, particularly in challenging environments. As the investigation into the cause of the crash begins, questions may arise about the aircraft’s maintenance, the weather conditions at the time of the incident, and the training protocols for pilots operating in such difficult terrain.
The Cambodian military and government officials are expected to provide updates as the recovery operation progresses and more information becomes available about the circumstances surrounding the crash.
