Caracas, May 19 (IANS): Four air force personnel were killed and another injured Friday when their helicopter crashed during exercises in the western state of Yaracuy, Venezuela's defense minister said.
The aircraft, a Russian-made MI 17, was at an altitude of about 10 meters when it suddenly plunged to the ground, Gen. Henry Rangel Silva told state television.
An investigation is under way to determine the cause of the crash, he said.
"We deeply regret that once again, in the deployment of the armed forces, these things occur, and we move forward," the general said, stressing that his immediate priority is attending to the victims' families.