Pyeongtaek, South Korea – South Korean and US authorities reported that a US Apache attack helicopter stationed in South Korea made an emergency landing in the Hyondeok-myeon area of Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, at 11:52 a.m. on Friday.
Details of the incident and the situation on the ground
The helicopter made an emergency landing in the middle of a rice field, averting a major disaster. Field reports confirmed that the two people on board survived with minimal injuries. Fire and police authorities also reassured the public that there were no secondary incidents following the landing, such as a fire or explosion. The situation was quickly brought under control.
Investigations and reasons for the crash
South Korean police and fire authorities launched a comprehensive investigation to determine the exact circumstances of the incident. Initial findings were based on statements from the crew. The crew claimed that the emergency landing was caused by a sudden spike in engine temperature, prompting the pilots to make an immediate decision to land in the nearest open area to prevent the aircraft from crashing.
For its part, the U.S. Eighth Army issued an official statement confirming that no serious damage to the aircraft or any human casualties had been reported so far.
The statement read: “The situation is currently under complete control thanks to close cooperation with military officials and local authorities, and a thorough investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of this technical malfunction.”
Repair and evacuation plan
Based on coordination between the two sides, US forces plan to repair the helicopter at its current location before transporting it, according to Yonhap News Agency. Police sources indicate that the repair and recovery work could take two to three days. This is partly due to the need to wait for the rice field surrounding the aircraft to dry out to ensure the safety of the heavy equipment involved in the transport operation.
