This photo, posted by Weibo user @YaoChyi-Tsai, shows the scene of a Republic of China (Taiwan) Army Boeing AH-64E Apache crash on the morning of 25th April. The helicopter, which was only delivered to Taiwan in December last year, crashed onto the roof of a residential building in Taoyuan county at approximately 1027 local time during a training flight, according to Taiwanese news reports.
Both crew were injured but were said to be in stable condition, and there were no immediate reports of other injuries. The Taiwanese army has said the cause of the crash is being investigated.
All I can say is: Ouch!
UPDATE (0530 GMT): The serial number of the crashed AH-64E is 808. Preliminary reports indicate the aircraft was returning to base following a training flight when it crashed following "loss of power". Taiwan's remaining 17 Apaches have been grounded as a precautionary measure. Taiwan has ordered 30 AH-64Es, with twelve of the aircraft yet to be delivered.
The photo below shows the serial of the crashed Apache and a photo of the same aircraft with Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou during the handover ceremony.
UPDATE (1130 GMT): The pilots of board have been named as Captain Chen Lung-chien and trainee pilot Liu Ming-hui. Captain Chen has been quoted as saying the crash happened during poor visibility. Vehicle dash-cam footage of the crash has also appeared on Youtube. Right place, right time.
© AFP/Sam Yeh
© AFP/Sam Yeh
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