[News] Open verdict on SAF's 6 SIR soldier's death - VRForums - SITEX 2009

bigsale · May 21st, 08, 12:45 PM

Open verdict on soldier's death
Combination of pilot error, low visibility and technical problems could have caused the tragedy. -ST

A GROUP of national servicemen on duty in Taiwan were busy cleaning their guns on May 11 last year when suddenly they saw a fighter jet spiralling towards their camp.

The soldiers scurried for their lives as the out-of-control plane bore down on their base in Hukou, about 50km south of the capital Taipei.

The jet smashed into the camp in a tremendous fireball, immediately killing the pilot, co-pilot and two people on the ground.

Details of the crash were recounted yesterday during a coroner's inquiry into the death of Lance Corporal Calvin Chow Han Min. The 19-year-old supply assistant survived the initial explosion but suffered severe burns and died 17 days later in a Singapore hospital.

An officer from Bedok police division took the stand yesterday to present a report on the crash.

The court heard that the 6th Battalion Singapore Infantry Regiment (6SIR) was in Taiwan for unilateral training from May 4 to 20. Lance Cpl Chow was helping 6SIR move supplies.

Two Taiwanese F5-F jets were buzzing above the camp, practising for a live-firing exercise, said Staff Sergeant Lian Wee Nan in his investigation report.

Suddenly, two servicemen saw one plane careen towards a shed at about 9.40am, the court was told. Others heard the whirring of its engine and ran for cover behind a slope.

Source: http://news.asiaone.com/News/The%2BS...521-66132.html