COLOLMBIAN NATIONAL POLICE HELO CRASHED AND LOST

UNCLAS BOGOTA 003018

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR INL/LP AND INL/A

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR CO
SUBJECT: COLOLMBIAN NATIONAL POLICE HELO CRASHED AND LOST



1. On 1 April 2006, a Colombian National Police (CNP) Bell
212 helicopter (tail number PNC 0493, but USG titled)
crashed while attempting to land in the Magdalena Department
near the Sierra Nevada National Park during a resupply
mission for manual eradication. Crewmembers were able to
extract the injured pilot, Captain Samir Parra, but he died
while en route to the hospital. The CNP co-pilot is in
stable condition and the other CNP crewmember was injured,
but will be okay. No U.S. Citizens were on the aircraft.


2. Although the cause of the crash has not been determined,
hostile fire has been ruled out. A bilateral safety
investigation with CNP and the Narcotics Affairs Section
(NAS) is ongoing. The loss of the pilot and aircraft will
adversely affect current efforts to complete night vision
goggle training for the CNP operated Bell 212 helicopters.

WOOD