Paraguayan presidential candidate killed in R44 crash

Paraguayan presidential candidate killed in R44 crash

3-Feb-2013 Source: HeliHub.com

Presidential candidate Lino Oviedo, aged 69, died in an accident involving the Robinson R44 he was flying in on Saturday night.  The accident also claimed the lives of his bodyguard Derlis Galeano, and the pilot, Ramón Aurelio Picco.

Our safety data pages have more details at 02-Feb-13 ZP-HAH Robinson R44 Puerto Antequera, Paraguay (3F)

Some media reports are suggesting that the helicopter involved was donated for the campaign period by a businessman from Brazil, but we can confirm that helicopter  was JetRanger PT-HSN, which has been painted up in a special scheme for the period.

One report from neighbouring Argentina says that the planned departure time for the R44 of 7.15pm was put back to 9.00pm and that the pilot had raised two objections to flying – firstly that the R44 was not suitably equipped for night flight, and secondly that there was an approaching storm front between the departure point at Concepcion and the intended destination at Asuncion.  The report goes on to say that Oviedo insisted that the flight went ahead.  The wreckage was found the following day.

The Paraguay Government has declared three days of official mourning for the death of UNACE party leader.  Paraguay is set to hold general elections on April 21.

Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com

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