The 2008 Macedonian Armed Forces Mil Mi-17 crash occurred on Saturday, 12 January 2008, when a Mil Mi-17 transport helicopter belonging to the Macedonian military, crashed 50–100 metres[2][3] from the village of Blace, situated in the region of Katlanovo,[4] approximately 10–15 kilometres south-east of Skopje, Macedonia[5] due to low visibility caused by heavy fog. All 11 individuals aboard the helicopter, including 8 passengers and 3 crew members, were killed in the crash.[6]
Incident
The incident took place at approximately 11:00 a.m. (GMT). The helicopter was returning from a EUFOR peace keeping mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina and started to experience foggy conditions[7] whilst preparing to land at their destination – The Skopje Airport.[3] The crash was reported by two local fishermen who claimed they saw the helicopter flying unusually low. A witness stated that "The engine of the helicopter did not sound like it worked well..."[3] Witnesses also reported seeing a "fireball" as the helicopter became engulfed in flames following impact.[5] This was subsequently followed by a series of explosions, possibly triggered by a supply of kerosene or ammunition.[3]
Based on a Reuters photographer's eye-witness account, the helicopter was incinerated and debris was found up to 100 metres from the crash site.[8]
Reactions
Upon arriving at the scene of the event, the Macedonian prime minister, Nikola Gruevski, said; "This is a terrible accident, a great tragedy and a great loss. I express my deepest and sincerest condolences to the families of the victims. An investigation is starting that will identify the cause of the accident."[3][5][7]
The Macedonian president, Branko Crvenkovski, also expressed his sympathy for the lives lost, stating: "We have not seen such a tragic lost [sic] of Macedonian soldiers in the country's recent history..."[9] The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Macedonia confirmed that the incident is the deadliest aviation accident to occur within the country's air force.[10]
Along with the president and prime minister, the Interior Minister of the Republic of Macedonia, Gordana Jankulovska, also visited the crash site immediately following the incident.[10]
Aftermath
In the immediate aftermath of the crash, only seven soldiers were fully identified.[11] After the identification of all victims involved in the crash, it was reported that a total of eleven military personnel between the ages of 26 and 40 had been killed in the crash.[9]
Following the incident, the Macedonian government created a special body to lead the investigation into the cause of the crash.[9]
