11 Onboard Lost In Impact With Office Building

The National Transportation Safety Board has dispatched a team of investigators to assist the Government of Panama in its investigation of a fatal helicopter accident this week.

On May 29, a Bell UH-1N, Panamanian registration SAN-100, operated by the Panamanian Air Service, crashed into an office building in Panama City, Panama. Two of the three crew members and all 9 passengers died in the accident. There were no reported injuries on the ground.

The passengers were Chilean and Panamanian police officials on their way to a United Nations-sponsored conference.

The accident is being investigated by Autoridad Aeronautica Civil (AAC) of Panama. At the request of the Panamanian Government and the United States Department of State, NTSB Chairman Mark V. Rosenker has offered Panama the resources of the Safety Board and has designated NTSB Senior Investigator Paul Cox as U.S. Accredited Representative. Joining Cox on the team will be representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration, Bell Helicopter and Pratt & Whitney of Canada.

Information on the progress of the investigation will be released by AAC.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov