Executives of the Grupo Medrano say the crashed Bell helicopter was fully equipped and on its inaugural flight. The helicopter had been purchased for the personal use of Medrano. Company director Roberto Rodríguez and family lawyer José Miguel de la Cruz said the helicopter had been purchased from a Haitian businessman in Miami, Florida in March 2019 and since then had undergone customization. The fatal 21 May 2019 flight was the first the owner would take in the helicopter. Medrano would fly to Puerto Plata to close a Telecable Central business deal, as reported.
In the fatal crash, Medrano, Martin Vargas, operations manager of Telecable Central and Army mayor, pilot Jesus Salvador Mendez Cuervo died when it crashed in Muñoz, shortly before landing at the Puerto Plata International Airport. The pilot had reported a fire in the motor. Witnesses say they saw the helicopter in flames in the air.
Rodríguez says they are waiting for a report from the National Commission for Air Accidents.
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Listin Diario
23 May 2019