News & Events in Belarus

German pilot dies in helicopter crash near Minsk

MINSK, 9 August (BelTA) – A US-made MD-500 helicopter operated by a pilot from Germany fell at the Borovaya airfield during the CIS Open Cup in Helicopter Sport near the Belarusian capital, Minsk, on 8 August. The pilot died, BelTA has learnt.

According to Major-General Anatoly Stepuk, the helicopter operated by Guenther Zimmer fell approaching the landing strip at 3h39pm in the visual meteorological conditions of 500-600meters from the spectators.

“He was a highly-qualified pilot. Every year he took part in the competitions in Moscow, Vitebsk, Krasnodar and other cities,” Anatoly Stepuk added.

Emergency workers and the transport police are now working on the scene.

Four countries, Belarus, Russia, Germany and Great Britain, took part in the 2010 CIS Open Cup in Helicopter Sport held at the Borovaya airfield near Minsk on 6-8 August. Belarus has hosted such competitions for the third time.

German helicopter crashes in Belarus, video

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