Police in the Erongo Region have confirmed the death of two men after the helicopter they were flying in reportedly fell from the sky and crashed east of Swakopmund airfield on Monday.

According to a preliminary incident report issued by Erongo Region Community Policing Commander Inspector Ileni Shapumba, it was alleged that the pilot and the helicopter engineer from the Swakopmund Flying School took the helicopter for a test after fixing it.

Shapumba added that both the men were busy fixing the new rotary blades which were recently inserted on the helicopter, after which they took it for a test. However whilst up in the air, the pilot lost control over the helicopter, which resulted in it crashing, causing their instant death.

The incident happened at about 15h53.

The Directorate of Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigations in the Ministry of Works and Transport attended the scene and both this unit and the police are investigating the matter further.

The deceased are yet to be identified.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency