Photo: Screenshot from the website of the CAAC Xinjiang Regional Administration

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) Xinjiang Regional Administration disclosed on Monday the cause of a helicopter crash in Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region that resulted in three deaths, stating that the accident was caused by a failure of the hydraulic system. 

According to the investigation and handling report on the major helicopter crash near a town in Burqin County caused by Xinjiang Yaxin General Aviation Co on September 5, the helicopter’s hydraulic system failure was the direct cause of the accident, while unauthorized takeoff without approval was a significant contributing factor. The crash is classified as a major general aviation accident due to organizational and management failings, based on the damage to the aircraft and the casualties. 

On September 5, the company’s helicopter No.AS350B3/B-70ZU crashed near a town in Burqin County while performing a repositioning flight, killing all three people on board. 

The three people on board including a pilot, a maintenance crew member, and a ground staff member, were killed in the accident. After crashing, the helicopter caught fire and was severely damaged. 

Investigators found that maintenance staff bore direct responsibility, company executives held primary managerial responsibility, and the pilot was at fault for flying without filing a flight plan.

The civil aviation authority has fined the company 1.89 million yuan ($268,217), revoked its license, penalized executives of income-based fines, and referred potential criminal cases to the local police. 

Since the company’s maintenance release personnel surnamed Ma and the on-duty pilot surnamed Pei died in the accident, no legal responsibility will be pursued for their violations.

Global Times