Corporate chopper slams into apartments killing pilots
The National Emergency Management Agency said a helicopter owned by LG Electronics crashed into the 24th and 25th floors of building 102 of the I-Park apartment complex in Samseong-dong around 8:55 a.m.Two bodies were recovered at the scene.
Shortly after the crash, the residents were evacuated.Shortly after the crash, photos of the accident were aired live on local TV networks. No smoke or explosions were seen in the reports.
It was flying from Gimpo Airport to Jamsil.The helicopter was a U.S.-built Sikorsky S-76 and LG Electronics reportedly purchased the commercial utility aircraft in 2007.While the cause of the accident will be determined in an investigation, the morning weather was foggy and authorities suspected that thick fog could have obstructed the pilots' view.
At some regional airports, domestic flights were canceled or detoured due to poor visibility.According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, the visibility at Seoul's Songwol-dong center at 9 a.m. was 1.1 kilometer. The weather body, however, said the visibility in Samseong-dong was not available.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said an investigation will be started at the Seoul Regional Aviation Administration.
BY SER MYO-JA [myoja@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
To write comments, please log in to one of the accounts.
Standards Board Policy (0/250자)