SAAF chopper crash - crew safe

2003-06-05 16:49

Pretoria - The SA Air Force said on Thursday one of its fleet of Denel Oryx medium transport helicopters had crash-landed at Durban International Airport.

Lieutenant Ronald Maseko said there was no deaths, only minor injuries.

The 15 Squadron helicopter's crew of four were taken to the St Augustine Hospital in Durban for treatment.

The helicopter went down earlier in the day within the perimeter of the airport during a training flight.

A board of inquiry had already been convened to investigate the incident, Maseko added.

The airport houses an air force station and is home to 15 Squadron, which operates both Oryx and Eurocopter BK117 light helicopters.

The air force has a fleet of 44 Oryx.

It was not immediately known how badly damaged the aircraft was or whether it could be returned to service.

The cause of the crash was not immediately known.

- SAPA