Military personnel inspect a RSAF AH-64 Apache helicopter as it sits in an open field after crash landing in Woodlands. -- ST PHOTO: CAROLINE CHIA
PRELIMINARY findings show that a mechanical glitch caused a Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Apache to make a forced landing in Woodlands field on Thursday afternoon, said Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean on Friday.
Commenting on the incident involving an Apache AH-64, whose tail broke off as it hit the ground during an emergency landing in an open field between Woodlands Avenue 12 and Woodlands Drive 64, Mr Teo, who is on an official visit to India, said the two RSAF pilots had followed the designated flight routes and emergency procedures.
'I have been receiving regular updates from Singapore. Our preliminary findings are that a mechanical problem was the cause of the incident. We are conducting investigations together with the manufacturers of the aircraft,' he said.
Mr Teo added that the Defence Ministry and RSAF will carry out a thorough investigation to find the root cause.
'We will thoroughly inspect our Apaches and Seahawks before any decision is made to resume flying of these aircraft,' he said.
In the wake of the incident, Mindef has temporarily suspended all training for its fleet of Apache AH-64 helicopters pending the outcome of the investigation into the crash landing.
Training for the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF) Sikorsky S-70B Seahawk naval helicopters, which have similar engines as the Apache AH-64 helicopters, has also been put on hold.
