(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-06-12 00:03

The remains of the crashed military helicopter are seen in this picture taken on June 11, 2008. The Mi-171 military transport helicopter crashed at 2:56 p.m. on May 31 while transferring 13 injured civilians from the epicenter of the May 12 quake in the southwestern Sichuan Province. [Xinhua]

Ma added that the crash was caused by the helicopter's sudden encounter with strong turbulence and the treacherous terrain near the crash site.

According to Ma, the military used satellites, radar, thermal infrared remote sensing and electronic positioning technologies to locate the crashed chopper during the 11-day search.

"However, many metal structures, such as power poles, collapsed after the May 12 quake," Ma said. "These steel structures look very similar to the debris of the crashed chopper when viewed by our search technologies, and we have to check each possible site on foot because of the deep valleys and dense forests limiting access of rescue helicopters.

"We will learn from our quake relief experience and improve the military's ability to perform in non-combat situations," Ma said.

 

 

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