Three killed in Army chopper crash

SEMARANG: An Army helicopter crashed on Wednesday night on the Bulus Pesantren beach in Setojenar village, Kebumen regency in Central Java, killing all three people on board.

Commander of the Army A. Yani airbase in Semarang, Lt. Col. Daniel F. Rambo, confirmed that the Vulgo HS 7109 chopper crashed at about 9.10 p.m. during a training flight.

Another Army spokesman, Col. Supriadi, was quoted by Antara as saying the three who died were pilot Major Philipus SS, copilot Major Adang Supriyatna, who were both instructors, and Second Lt. Joko R.

Philipus will be buried in Bandung on Friday morning, as will Adang in Jakarta; their remains have been brought to their families in the respective cities. Joko was buried on Thursday afternoon at the Semaki Hero Cemetery in Yogyakarta.

Supriadi did not give details about the causes of the accident, apart from saying that training during night time carried great risks. (swe)