The flight recorders in the Drukair Helicopter crash at Wachey in Lunana earlier this month were removed for maintenance and were non-functional at the time of the accident. This is according to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Team’s preliminary accident investigation report. While the investigation is ongoing, the preliminary report contains no analysis or findings, which will be included in the investigation’s final report.
According to the report, the Vision 1000 device, a flight data recorder was removed for maintenance on 1st March and the Drukair helicopter crashed two days later.
The helicopter is normally equipped with Vision 1000 device. It collects inertial and positioning data, ambient acoustic data, and cockpit imagery.
The device is critical in supporting accident investigations.
In addition, the flight tracker device, which tracks and records the flight path every 15 seconds also failed to record the final moments, two minutes before the crash according to the report.
Further, the investigation team has recommended Drukair Helicopter Services to immediately ground the pilot who was involved in the accident from flying until further notice.
The equipment that records information such as malfunctions and system failure was retrieved from the site and sent to the French Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for examination. The result will be included in the final report.
The Drukair helicopter crash at Wachey in Lunana killed a woman and her 18-month-old daughter.
The father, the other daughter and the pilot survived the crash with injuries. The chopper was heading towards Wachey from Khuruthang in Punakha when the accident took place.
Tshering Deki
Edited by Sonam Pem
