Ecuadorian Navy Bell 430 helicopter crash: What we know

A Bell 430 helicopter belonging to the Ecuadorian Navy suffered a serious accident and crashed, resulting in the death of both crew members.

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The Ecuadorian Navy informed on its social networks that one of its Bell 430 maritime exploration helicopters (registration number HN-407) had crashed in La Frutilla, Julio Moreno parish, Santa Elena province, and that search and rescue efforts were being carried out to find the pilot and co-pilot.

‼️#URGENTE

Helicóptero de la #ArmadaEcuatoriana se accidentó en #SantaElena, hasta el momento, se continúa con las labores de búsqueda y rescate de la tripulación y pasajeros conformada por el piloto, copiloto.#SiempreArumbo #FFAAContigo #EstamosParaServir pic.twitter.com/EnSA2WVHjO

— Armada del Ecuador (@armada_ecuador) May 6, 2024

However, local media confirmed that the crew members of the crashed Bell 430 lost their lives. The causes of the accident are still unknown and will be investigated by the authorities.

Moments ago, the Ecuadorian Navy issued an official statement confirming the death of the crew.

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“The Ecuadorian Navy regrets to inform the public that, after search efforts, the mortal remains of the helicopter crew comprised of pilot CPCB- AV Wilson Andrés Bohórquez Andrade and co-pilot CPCB-AV Jean Elías Ramírez Saltos were located.”

This is the second accident of an Ecuadorian military helicopter in less than two weeks. The first one occurred on Friday morning, April 26 in Tiwino, Pastaza. A Mi-171E belonging to the Ecuadorian Army (registration AAE-485) was delivering humanitarian aid to the population affected by the flooding of the rivers, when it suffered a serious accident that cost the lives of five military personnel and three civilians.