A junta-owned navy helicopter crashed in northern Myanmar, in keeping with a press release by officers on Wednesday.
The accident was attributable to mechanical failure throughout a coaching train in Mandalay area’s Meiktila metropolis on Tuesday, the press launch acknowledged, including that the pilot and trainee onboard weren’t injured in the course of the crash. Meiktila is dwelling to the junta’s Air Power Central Command.
Former junta air drive sergeant Zayya advised Radio Free Asia crashes have turn into extra frequent as a result of navy plane are continually in use by junta officers.
“We’ve seen extra plane crashes and using helicopters has elevated,” stated the person, who goes by one identify. “Lots of the plane which have come to us have weaknesses. Overuse of the plane will proceed to occur.”
It’s essential to test the situation of plane after every use, he added, however the junta can now not do this due to the frequency they’re being utilized in finishing up assaults all around the nation. In response to a September report by the United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights, airstrike assaults elevated in Myanmar by 324% between 2021 and 2023.
On Feb. 29, a fighter jet crashed close to Magway area’s Kyu Wun village in central Myanmar. Simply weeks earlier, a navy aircraft repatriating troops who fled to India skidded off the runway at Mizoram state’s Lengpui Airport.
These crashes have been preceded by extra rare crashes in earlier years of the coup. In November 2022, a coaching pilot aircraft crashed in Tanintharyi area’s Thayetchaung township.
In June 2021, a junta passenger aircraft crash killed 12 folks at Pyinoolwin’s close by Anisakhan Airport in Mandalay area. The useless included a monk, two military majors, a captain and a corporal.
In response to information compiled by RFA, insurgent armies in Kachin, Kayin and Karenni states, in addition to guerilla armies, or Folks’s Protection Forces, declare to have shot down seven transport helicopters and fighter jets within the three years for the reason that 2021 coup. 5 further junta plane have crashed on account of technical or human error.
Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Kiana Duncan and Mike Firn.