Pilot of helicopter Bernales died in could have flown with only one motor

SANTIAGO.- According to a preliminary report Panamanian officials delivered to the Chilean government yesterday concerning the causes the air crash, the helicopter that was carrying National Police Chief José Alejandro Bernales when he was killed in Panama city with 10 other people had the ability to fly with only one motor.

“It has been determined that the accident was likely caused by the pilot’s inefficient handling of emergency procedures instated due to the failure of engine Nº1”, claims the document.

The text adds that the engine failure was caused by a break in a turbine blade, which appears to have been worn down.  The document clarifies that the conclusion is preliminary however, and that authorities are waiting to receive the final report from the engine producer.

The Panamanian investigation also determined that the transponder –a device that emits a signal identifying the helicopter on radar- was not working, which is why the aircraft did not appear on radar screens.