Missing Cambodian Military Chopper Found with All Aboard Dead: Defense Spokesperson

Phnom Penh, July 30, 2024: A Cambodian military helicopter that went missing on July 12 was found in the Cardamom Mountains on Monday, with both individuals aboard confirmed dead, according to a defense spokesperson on Tuesday.

“At 10:30 a.m. local time on July 30, 2024, the search team of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) found the body of pilot Sun Phalla at the foot of Yav Yai Mountain, about 210 meters from the crash site,” announced Gen. Chhum Socheat, a secretary of state and spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, in a social media post.

The body of pilot assistant Kheng Chhaiyuth was discovered on Monday at around 5 p.m. local time in the crashed helicopter, Socheat added.”I am shocked and saddened by the news of the deaths of the two pilots and pray for their souls to rest in peace,” Socheat expressed.

The missing helicopter was located at Yav Yai Mountain in Thmor Da commune of Pursat province’s Veal Veng district on Monday afternoon after a 17-day search operation. The helicopter had lost contact with the air force headquarters while flying over the densely forested Cardamom Mountain range in Pursat and Koh Kong provinces during a training flight on July 12, due to bad weather, according to the Ministry of National Defense. Gen. Ith Sarath, deputy commander-in-chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), who led the search and rescue operation, reported that more than 1,000 ground and air forces participated in the operation.