21-May-17 Leonardo AW101 Hamr el Ain, Algeria (3F)

Helicopter crashed in open farmland on a night reconnaissance mission, killing three POB.  Post crash fire.  Reported location is right by significant amounts of high voltage lines converging on a power station site, and the Algerian Navy later confirmed (below) that the helicopter hit powerlines.

The official statement in the news section of the Algerian Navy website shows an AW101 and official naval photos of three men in their uniforms, thus confirming 3 fatalities and not 5 as reported in some sources.

The statement reads as follows – During a night training patrol on the Blida-Tipaza axis, a rescue helicopter belonging to the Naval Forces was crashed on Sunday the 21st of May 2017, at 9.40 pm after having struck high-voltage power lines near the commune of Hamr El Ain, in the Wilaya of Tipaza, causing the death of the members of its crew, composed of three officers.  In this painful circumstance, Major General HAOULI Mohamed Larbi Commandant of the Naval Forces sends his heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families and assures them of his deep compassion and support in the aftermath of this tragic accident.

Date:
21 May, 2017
Make:
AgustaWestland
Model:
AW101
Location:
Hamr El Ain, Tipaza province - 36°34′N 2°20′E
Country:
Algeria
Civil / Military:
Military
Fatalities:
3
Operator:
Algerian-Navy
Link:
http://mideast.liveuamap.com/en/2017/21-may-algeria-casualty-toll-following-tipaza-helicopter
Link:
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-05/22/c_136303877.htm
Link:
http://www.menadefense.net/2017/05/21/crash-dun-aw101-merlin-de-marine-5-morts/

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