Press Release

Published: Thursday, 28 April 2016 16:08

It came to the end the administrative investigation, which was ordered by the Defence Minister, regarding the air crash of Albanian Air Force helicopter EC 145, board number 637, occurred on April 6-th 2016. The Defence Minister in accordance with the competencies provided by the law in force, on April 7-th 2016 ordered the setup of an administrative task force investigation on: "The crash of the helicopter EC-145" dated on April 6-th, 2016. The last deadline of this administrative investigation was on April 22-nd, 2016.

During this administrative investigation, the working group gathered all scientific and non-scientific evidence, listened to the witnesses, and the stakeholders as well anyone related or being aware of the event, verified the on-site evidences in the presence of the Prosecutor of Shkodra district, observed the scene, called and listened all foreign and native experts, as well as compared and analyzed the obtained evidence.

At the end of the administrative investigation, the working group came to the conclusion that: the planning, organization and direction of the drill made by the helicopter FA-637 on April 6-th, 2016, was conducted in accordance with the laws and regulations in force that regulate the activity of the Albanian Armed Forces. Albanian Air Force, Farka Air Base, and their structures have planned, and run their training flights in accordance with the security rules of air navigation services.

The crew of the helicopter was conducting visual training flight in compliance with Air Force training plan.

Ministry of Defence thanks the Prosecution Office for their cooperation and assistance in this administrative investigation, as well as other institutions with which we cooperate. Also, thanks the American experts and the US Embassy in our country, for offering their assistance.