By Lor Chandara
THE CAMBODIA DAILY
A small two-seat helicopter made an emergency landing shortly after takeoff from Phnom Penh International Airport Friday morning, surprising residents in Russei Keo district and drawing a large crowd of curious onlookers.
No one was injured during the bumpy landing in a field but the right tail fin of the helicopter was severely damaged, effectively grounding the craft.
Russei Keo villagers Kheang Soky was at home cooking rice around 11:20 am when she saw the helicopter swing back and forth unsteadily before descending quickly to the ground.
"It was not moving forward and then I saw it land in the open fiels," the 30-year-old recalled
Pilot Mathew Cheng, a Singaporean, and his Thai girlfriend Saifon Chanthachon were aboard the helicopter when it was forced to land.
Cheng said that he arrived in Phnom Penh on Wednesday and is in the country as a tourist,
"Hard to explain, but I must land," Cheng told a reporter about the cause of the emergency landing. He said he owned the aircraft but declined to comment further.
Police in Phnom Penh Thmei commune quickly surrounded the helicopter to ensure the safety of the passengers and prevent looting, district police chief Chey Sina said.
No one was injured during the bumpy landing in a field but the right tail fin of the helicopter was severely damaged, effectively grounding the craft.
Russei Keo villagers Kheang Soky was at home cooking rice around 11:20 am when she saw the helicopter swing back and forth unsteadily before descending quickly to the ground.
"It was not moving forward and then I saw it land in the open fiels," the 30-year-old recalled
Pilot Mathew Cheng, a Singaporean, and his Thai girlfriend Saifon Chanthachon were aboard the helicopter when it was forced to land.
Cheng said that he arrived in Phnom Penh on Wednesday and is in the country as a tourist,
"Hard to explain, but I must land," Cheng told a reporter about the cause of the emergency landing. He said he owned the aircraft but declined to comment further.
Police in Phnom Penh Thmei commune quickly surrounded the helicopter to ensure the safety of the passengers and prevent looting, district police chief Chey Sina said.
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