Military Helicopter Crash in Colombia Leaves 9 Dead

A Colombian military helicopter carrying nine crew members crashed today in the Bolivar department in Colombia. While on a mission, the aircraft suddenly lost all communication with its base, immediately triggering an emergency search and rescue operation. The authorities quickly found the helicopter heavily damaged inside a forest.

According to Colombian authorities, the accident left no survivors among the nine crew members on board the aircraft. A video taken in the aftermath of the crash depicts a horrific scene. “Look, where the guts are… pieces of flesh.” says a witness as he uncovers the crash scene.

The crew members and soldiers onboard include Mayor Edward Espinosa, Lieutenant Colonel Jesus Carvajal, Sergeants Diego Ramirez and Michael Villanueva, as well as Corporal Cristian Ordoñez, Corporal Jhon Arlen Olea, and soldiers Sman Sanabria, Jesus Montalvo, and Yeisson Mondoza Mendez.

The crash occurred in the Santa Rosa municipality, Bolivar Department, on the Caribbean coast. The cause of the helicopter crash remains unknown, although some suspect a technical issue.

UPDATE : Colombian Minister of Defense States Poor Weather as Cause of the Helicopter Crash

Crashed helicopter was an MI-17

The accident involved a Russian-made MI-17 helicopter. Operated by the Colombian military, these aircraft recently sparked controversy and national debate over their maintenance. Most of these helicopters have reached their 2,000-flight limit, making maintenance mandatory to ensure the safety and proper use of the aircraft.

In a diplomatic exchange between the Colombian Ministry of Defense and the Russian embassy in Colombia, the latter argued that the aircraft were not provided with adequate maintenance due to Colombia’s suspension of maintenance contracts for the MI-17.