The US National Transportation Safety Board has dispatched a team of investigators to assist the government of Panama in its investigation of a fatal helicopter accident late last month.
A Bell UH-1N, Panamanian registration SAN-100, operated by the Panamanian Air Service, crashed into an office building in Panama City on 29 May.
Two of the three crew members and all nine passengers died in the accident. There were no reported injuries on the ground.
The passengers were Chilean and Panamanian police officials on their way to a United Nations-sponsored conference.
The accident is being investigated by Autoridad Aeronautica Civil of Panama. At the request of the Panamanian government and the US Department of State, the NTSB has offered Panama resources, including its senior investigator Paul Cox.
He will be joined by representatives from the US Federal Aviation Administration, Bell Helicopter and Pratt & Whitney Canada.
Source: Flight International
