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Army denies U.S. applying pressure on Apache crash probe

ROC Central News Agency

2014/04/30 17:51:33

Taipei, April 30 (CNA) Taiwan's Army denied a report Wednesday that the United States has pressured the military to keep quiet about what caused an AH-64E Apache attack helicopter to crash on Apr. 25 before an investigation into the accident is completed.

A report in Chinese-language weekly magazine Want said the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) expressed concern about the accident and asked Taiwan's military to say little about what the investigation was turning up.

Asked about the report, the Army denied it and said the accident is being investigated by a task force that should issue a report on its findings in about 45 days.

The task force assembled by the Ministry of National Defense and the Army includes U.S. technicians and representatives from the Cabinet-level Aviation Safety Council.

It will determine whether the accident was caused by mechanical failure or human error, a sensitive issue because Taiwan would seek compensation from Boeing if mechanical failure were behind the crash.

Asked by CNA to confirm the report, AIT Public Diplomacy Section Chief Joseph Bookbinder said 'AIT has not told the Taiwan military how to conduct the accident investigation.'

'We do not comment or speculate on ongoing accident investigations,' he added.

The reputation of the AH-64E model could also be at stake because the U.S. and Taiwan are currently the only two countries flying it.

A previous problem with the main transmission of an AH-64E Apache in the U.S. forced Taiwan to ground its fleet to make the necessary repairs. Another mechanical flaw could hurt future sales of the aircraft.

The ill-fated helicopter, one of 18 delivered to Taiwan by the United States over the past six months, was on a training flight on April 25 when it crashed into the top of a three-story residential building in Longtan Township in Taoyuan County, damaging four homes.

Except for minor scratches, the two pilots were unhurt and there were no other serious injuries.

Shortly after the crash, the Army grounded the other 17 Apaches. Once it has been determined that the helicopters are safe for flight, they will be put back into service, according to Lt. Gen. Hao Yii-jy, chief of staff of the Army.

The 18 helicopters, which arrived in three shipments between November 2013 and March 2014, were part of an order for 30 helicopters purchased for about US$2 billion in a deal announced in 2008 under the U.S. administration of then President George W. Bush.

The remaining shipments of six helicopters apiece are expected to arrive in Taiwan in May and July. It is not clear if the accident will affect the delivery schedule.

(By Elaine Hou)
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