A Philippines air force UH-1H Huey was carrying four people over the central island of Cebu when it crashed April 28 on a public street with nylon kite string entangled below its main rotor. Seven people on the ground were killed, as were two of the helicopter’s crew. Lieutenant General Horacio Tolentino said a captain aboard the helicopter told him the aircraft was flying perfectly just before landing, and “there was no problem with the engine … [the kite string] caused the stoppage of the rotor,” he told ABC news. Though terrorists have used kites as anti-helicopter tactical weapons in the past, and kite flying is banned in the area, the general said last week that in this instance no blame was being assigned as no malice was intended. The air force did not initially announce plans to charge anyone.
Helicopter Crash Due To Kite String?
Key Takeaways:
- A Philippines air force UH-1H Huey crashed in Cebu on April 28, killing seven people on the ground and two crew members.
- The crash was caused by nylon kite string entangling below the main rotor, reportedly causing it to stop, despite the aircraft flying perfectly just before the incident.
- Authorities stated no malice was intended and no blame was assigned for the incident, even though kite flying is banned in the area.
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