Three Die in Military Helicopter Crash in Turkmenistan

An AgustaWestland military helicopter has crashed near the Turkmen capital Ashgabat, killing three people on board. The helicopter, which belonged to the State Border Service of Turkmenistan, came down on January 13 in Ahal region. Three sources independent of one another confirmed this report to turkmen.news. They all said that three people had died, one of them a lieutenant colonel. One source is close to the Defense Ministry.

Since December 28 there has been thick fog in the Ashgabat area. It was foggy on the 13^th too. According to one of the sources, the helicopter was flying at a low altitude and a blade got caught in a rebroadcasting transmitter east of Ashgabat and north of the town of Anew. The map shows the presumed site of the crash.

The same source reported that the helicopter was part of the escort guarding the president, who on January 14 began a working visit to Lebap region in the east of Turkmenistan. The day the president left was also very foggy, which can be clearly seen on state TV pictures.

Fog in Ashgabat on January 14, 2021. Slide image for more

Fog in Ashgabat on January 14, 2021. Slide image for more

Fog in Ashgabat on January 14, 2021

Civilian doctors were not allowed near the bodies of the dead, according to turkmen.news’ sources. Local media have not reported the crash and nothing was said about it at the government meeting on January 14.

As well as the border service, the government air fleet has AgustaWestland helicopters, but these are adapted for VIP use (registration numbers EZ-S714 и EZ-S715).