INCIDENT INVOLVING ITALIAN MILITARY MISSION HELICOPTER DURING EXERCISE CANALE 2001 (PRESS RELEASE NO 2)

An Italian Military Mission (IMM) helicopter, an AB212 which was participating in Exercise Canale 2001 developed some problems at about 2130 hours on Monday 18th June 2001 while on exercise. The incident occurred at sea some 37 nautical miles east of Augusta, Sicily.

At the time of the incident the helicopter had 3 crewmembers on board – two Italian Military Mission personnel (the aircraft commander and crew chief) and co–pilot Lieutenant A Zammit an Armed Forces of Malta officer.

The incident happened when the AB 212 was in the vicinity of an Italian Navy Corvette ‘LIBRA’ to perform a medical evacuation exercise. The incident was witnessed by 86089 Gunner Xuereb Brain (rescuer) who was on board the LIBRA and in fact was to be taken on board the helicopter involved.

A French Navy dinghy which was also participating in the exercise intervened to give assistance. The 3 helicopter crew members on board the AB 212 were taken on board the dinghy and transferred to the Italian Navy Corvette LIBRA. Later they were conveyed by a Search and Rescue helicopter, an Italian Navy HH3F to be hospitalized in Catania.

It should be highlighted that Lt A Zammit, the only AFM member on board the helicopter sustained only some minor abrasions and shock. Gunner Xuereb was also treated for shock.

Arrangements have been made for the wives of the AFM personnel involved to be flown to Sicily by an AFM aircraft to assist their husbands.

An operation is underway to recover the IMM helicopter from the sea and transport it to Augusta harbour for the necessary investigations.

It has been decided by the Italo-Maltese planning group that the exercise be continued as scheduled.