Colombia’s Defense Minister cited poor weather as the primary cause of the recent helicopter crash that resulted in nine fatalities. In front of the Second Commission of the Colombian Senate, Minister Ivan Velasquez stated that the MI-17 helicopter crash was being investigated to determine the main causes of the accident. He dismissed the lack of maintenance, even though the MI-17 helicopters operated by the Colombian military have been noted for challenges related to their upkeep.
Preliminary findings on the causes of the helicopter crash
The minister affirmed that the aircraft had a “valid airworthiness certificate until January 18, 2025,” having undergone more than 250 hours of inspection since February, including 50 hours since April 10. In this context, Ivan Velasquez suggested that probable bad weather led to the helicopter crash this Monday.
President Gustavo Petro referred to Ivan Velasquez’s defense as a means to “dispel typical rumors,” addressing the controversy surrounding the maintenance issues of the MI-17 helicopters. Indeed, recent diplomatic exchanges between the Russian Embassy in Colombia and the Colombian Ministry of Defense highlighted the lack of agreements with the Russian manufacturer concerning the maintenance of the aircraft.
At the time of the accident, the helicopter and its crew were on a mission to resupply the Joint Task Force Marte, a task force charged with combating the Gulf Clan in the southern part of the Bolivar Department, on the Caribbean Coast.
The crash reportedly occurred around 1:50 PM and left no survivors among the nine passengers. The crew members and passangers onboard included Lieutenant Colonel Jesus David Carvajal Rangel, Major Edward Andrey Espinosa Rodriguez, Sergeant First Class Diego Heriberto Ramirez Bahamon, Sergeant Michael Andres Villanueva Mancera, First Corporal Cristian Ordoñez Caicedo, Third Corporal Jhon Arlen Olea Palmera and the Professional Soldiers Sman Sanabria Guerrero, Jesus Montalvo Arroyo, and Yeisson Mendoza Mendez.
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