Helicopter crashed in Malatya: 4 martyrs

A fire broke out in the area where the helicopter crashed, and the flames spread to a nearby house. Upon notice, many firefighters, 112, AFAD teams and security forces were dispatched to the region. While the teams intervened and extinguished the flames, military officials also inspected the area.

In the statement made by the Ministry of National Defense, it was said: "As a result of our S-70 type helicopter crashing in Malatya for an undetermined reason, 4 of our heroic comrades in the helicopter were martyred." Ministry of Defense announced that the martyrs are Ground Pilot Major Erdem Çimen, Ground Pilot Major Orhun Pınar, Aircraft Helicopter Technician Petty Officer Senior Sergeant Hüseyin Zehir and Aircraft Helicopter Technician Petty Officer Senior Sergeant Serkan Önder. The bodies of 4 soldiers were taken to Malatya Forensic Medicine Institute after crime scene investigations. Sad news was delivered to the family of Orhun Pınar (37) living in Ankara, Erdem Çimen (41) living in Izmir, Serkan Önder (28) living in Kayseri and Hüseyin Zehir living in Hatay.

It entered the inventory in 1989

Sikorsky S-70 helicopters, which are used extensively by the US army, joined the Turkish Armed Forces inventory in 1989. The domestic version of the T-70 Utility Helicopter, produced under the leadership of TAI, is also used in a wide range of areas. The helicopter usually operates with 2-4 personnel and can carry 11-12 fully equipped soldiers.

Condolence messages from politicians