HADONG—A helicopter operated by the Korea Forest Service crash-landed in Hadong, a southern county of South Korea, leading to non-life-threatening injuries for the pilot, officials reported on Wednesday. The incident involved an Airbus Helicopters AS 350, previously known as Eurocopter, during a routine pest control operation.
According to Yonhap News Agency, The pilot, in his 40s, sustained a chest bruise and was transported to a local hospital following the crash, which occurred at 9:39 a.m. about 290 kilometers southeast of Seoul. No other personnel were aboard the aircraft at the time of the accident. "Fire authorities suspect the crash happened after the helicopter was caught in an electric wire," officials stated. The remains of the helicopter are currently being retrieved, and the Korea Electric Power Corporation has taken measures to bring down nearby power lines to prevent further incidents.
The Korea Forest Service, which has operated this model of helicopter since 2003 for various utility purposes including carrying water and medicines, is investigating the exact cause of the crash. This incident follows other crashes involving the same model in March and October of the previous year.