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http://www.rthk.org.hk/rthk/news/englis ... &56&722588
Helicopter comes down in reservoir
27-12-2010
A Government Flying Services helicopter comes down in the Shing Mun Reservoir. Photo: Simon Lee
A government flying service helicopter made an emergency landing on the Shing Mun reservoir this morning after experiencing engine trouble, but all three crew members escaped unharmed.
Aviation officials have grounded all helicopters of the same type pending an investigation.
The helicopter -- a Super Puma Mark 2 -- was taking part in a hill-fire operation and flying low, lifting buckets of water from the Shing Mun Reservoir, when an engine problem prevented the aircraft from climbing.
The pilot then made an emergency landing in the reservoir, several hundred meters from the shore.
An inflatable device kept the helicopter afloat while the three three crew members climbed into the water and swam to safety.
They were taken to Yan chai hospital for examination and then released. Director-General of Civil Aviation Norman Lo said an investigation will look at all factors, including any mechanical problems affecting the Super Puma Mark 2 helicopter.
Mr Lo said the craft had gone through regular maintenance and was up to service standards.
The Government Flying Service has three Super Puma Mark 2 helicopters, and all of them have now been grounded.
The helicopter involved will be partially disassembled, then airlifted from the site. The recovery operation is expected to take several days.
Engineers from the Water Services Department have taken samples of the water for tests, but there are no immediate signs of any contamination to the water supply.
Floats were used to cordon off the helicopter to guard against any potential oil spill.