A helicopter from the 4th Army crashed in Muang district of Yala yesterday while on mission to help people hit by floods, injuring two pilots and two army officers on board.
The wreckage of a military helicopter lies among the trees in Ban Poye in tambon Lammai in Muang district of Yala. It went down in heavy rain while on a mission to help flood victims, injuring two pilots and two mechanics yesterday. Muhamad Ayub Pathan
Lt Gen Prakarn Cholayuth, the 4th Army commander, said the incident occurred about 1.30pm while the helicopter was flying in heavy rain.
Lt Gen Prakarn said the helicopter crashed at Ban Poye in tambon Lammai in Muang district of Yala.
An emergency team took about 30 minutes to reach the crash site in the forest. The Bell helicopter was seriously damaged.
The injured were the two pilots, Cap Seksan Phuripol, 33, and Lt Aphisit Phrahasa, 32, and two mechanics, SM Sanguan Muenkamrueng, 55, and SM Kittipong Santit, 37. The four soldiers were seriously injured and taken to the Yala Regional Hospital.
The army inspection unit said the helicopter was conducting an aerial survey of flooded areas in Muang and surrounding districts of Yala.
Visibility dropped rapidly forcing the pilot to request an emergency landing in Ban Lam Phaya village. However, as the sky appeared to be clearing up, the pilot decided to return to the military base at the Sirindhorn army camp in Yarang district of Pattani. On the way back to base, the helicopter developed engine problems and crashed.