All Surion helicopters grounded following deadly crash
Latest crash reignites safety concerns
By Lee Min-hyung
A Marine Corps Surion helicopter.
Operations of the armed forces' 90 Surion helicopters were suspended Wednesday, following a deadly crash in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, Tuesday.
According to the Army and the Marine Corps, any decision on resuming operations will be made after the military completes an investigation into what caused the crash, which killed five soldiers aboard and injured another.
The Marine Corps said the ill-fated helicopter crashed from an altitude of 10 meters on a test flight at a military airfield.
Following the incident, safety concerns resurfaced over the light utility helicopters made by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI).
This is not the first time a Surion has been involved in an accident. But it remains to be seen whether the latest accident involves parts defects as the investigation is ongoing.
The Surion has for years been at the center of controversy, sparking concerns over whether it is technically stable and safe enough to fly.
Last year, the nation's audit agency demanded the military stop using the helicopter, as its engine could fail in humid and freezing conditions.
But the aircraft manufacturer dispelled the concerns last month, saying the chopper passed an anti-icing test from the Defense Acquisition and Procurement Agency (DAPA) and the agency has re-certified its operational capability.
“We will fully cooperate with the military's ongoing investigation to find out the cause of the accident and come up with countermeasures (to prevent the recurrence of the incident),” a KAI official said, declining to comment on details as the investigation is under way.
The Marine Corps said it has formed a 23-member investigation team to look into the reasons behind the crash.
The KAI, with the Agency for Defense Development and Eurocopter, started developing the helicopter in 2006 by investing 1.3 trillion won ($1.15 billion). But the chopper has been controversial because of its unstable technical systems.
In December 2015, a Surion crashed after an engine problem. Two other Surions had to make emergency landings in January and February that year for a similar reason.
The latest accident comes at a critical time as KAI is making efforts to export the helicopters to Asian countries.
If technical defects are confirmed again after the investigation, this export drive is expected to face tough challenges.
In particular, KAI is in the final stage of exporting 11 Surions to the Philippines. The company believes the deal, worth 250 billion won, will give it momentum for overseas expansion. But the latest incident is expected to deal a serious blow to the firm's export initiatives.
KAI's stock price closed at 34,450 won on the Seoul bourse Wednesday, down 9.34 percent, or 3,550 won, from the previous day.