While participating in the ongoing Han Kuang military exercises in eastern Taiwan today, a Bell OH-58D Kiowa helicopter made a hard landing, killing both the pilot and co-pilot, Taiwan News reported. Photos and video from the scene show the helicopter bursting into flames, and black smoke can be seen billowing high into the air. The Army Command Headquarters said that it has set up a special task force that will include high-level officers to investigate the accident. The military has grounded all helicopters to implement special safety inspections and begin an investigation into the cause of the heavy landing. This incident marks the third hard landing by an OH-58D Kiowa operated by Taiwan's military in two years.

Source: The Standard July 16, 2020 10:55 UTC