Apache helicopter crashes into Taiwan housing block, pilots survive
An Apache attack helicopter carrying two people crashed into a building in Taiwan on Friday - and miraculously, the pilots survived.
The chopper was a new AH-64E and since the crash, all of the army's 18 AH-64E Apache helicopters have been grounded.
An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the crash, which happened at around 10am.
No one on the ground was injured in the crash that took place in northern Taiwan during a routine training mission, the military said.
According to the South China Morning Post, the two Taiwanese pilots were set to a military hospital for treatment after suffering slight injuries.
An official told reporters: "The incident happened during basic flight training for unknown reasons and a special team is investigating the cause."
Uniformed men were seen inspecting the site.
The Daily Mail reports that Taiwan took delivery of its first six AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, bought from the US, in November.
From December to February, the choppers were grounded after Washington warned the model could malfunction.
The helicopter is the same which Prince Harry used in this military training. It comes equipped with laser-guided missiles, rockets and machine guns.
The Taiwanese army is the first force outside the US to use the Apache AH-64E. Taiwan ordered 30 Apache helicopters, the remainder of which will be delivered by the end of 2014, as part of a US$6.5 billion arms deal unveiled in 2008.
Related articles
Plane and helicopter in near-miss above London
Prince Harry heads for tiny Arizona town for military training
