In a helicopter crash in Colombia’s northwestern Antioquia department, one military member was killed and another four were injured, local media report.
General Javier Rey, commander of the Army Aviation Brigade, confirmed the accident occurred in the municipality of Carepa.
According to the army official, the Russian M-17 lost control when it was about twenty feet of the ground, after which it caught fire, killing pilot Edgar Rojas.
Four crew members were rescued from the fire and brought to the hospital with bruises and minor injuries, but the pilot unfortunately failed to escape in time and died.
In an interview with El Colombiano, Colonel Javier Vallejos said the helicopter was subjected to a maintenance check on Tuesday.