Read the forum code of contact
By: - 28th June 2011 at 16:17 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
http://wpedia.goo.ne.jp/enwiki/125_Squadron,_Republic_of_Singapore_Air_Force#Unit_History
"Based at Sembawang Air Base, the Super Pumas brought to the RSAF a new dimension in its operational capabilities.
Prior to the acquisition of the CH-47 Chinook, SAF relied on the squadron's Super Puma helicopters to transport its light vehicles and troops around on various detachments and training grounds.
125 Squadron has only had one major accident involving loss of life-taking place overseas.
In 1994, where 125 Squadron's then Commanding Officer Major S. Thanabalan, as well as Captain John Wong and their crew were killed in an air crash during deployment on detachment to Taiwan for a training exercise[2], and the fleet was grounded[3].
In 2008, a Super Puma crashed in SBAB's compound, with no loss of life, in the lead up to National Day Parade duties[4]."
Possibly this "S. Thanabalan", because his DOD matches:
http://archive.wikitree.org/index.php?title=S.Thanabalan
"S. Thanabalan
Birth: 9 November 1952 in Singapore, Singapore
Death: 16 April 1994 in Kaoshiung [sic], Taiwan
Gender (at birth): male
Children:
- Stephen Charles Liang Wen Thanabalan
- Matthew John Thanabalan"
By: - 5th July 2011 at 15:25 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Hi Don,
Thanks! I do have a simple database on RSAF crashes/incidents as well. Combining your info with mine, I present:
Date: 16 Apr 1994
Type: AS332M Super Puma
Serial: Unk
Details: Crashed at 0430 local during air support sortie, Ba Gua Mountain, near ROCA artillery base, Tian Zhong Town, Chang Hua County. MAJ Thanabalan s/o Sundram CO 125 Sqn, CPT John Wong Yiew Juan, 3SG Vasu s/o Subramaniam and RoC 2LT Lin Chih Hsien killed. Slammed into a hill/mountain during a NVG flight. Second Puma following behind broke off after the TACAN signal was lost. They had mistaken a town and took a wrong turn. 125 Sqn. Microfilm Reel NL19059.
By: - 6th July 2011 at 08:19 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Fascinating, Captain.
Seriously, another dude and I thought of using the old method of on-line looking for all post-accident-date RSAF AS332 photos, to deduce the accident helo S/N... but gave up after the first day or so. 8(
Also tried asking some Singaporean Netters, but no joy.
By: - 6th July 2011 at 08:45 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
...thought of using the old method of on-line looking for all post-accident-date RSAF AS332 photos, to deduce the accident helo S/N...
The problem with that is that the RoC crash was at least the third writeoff of a 125 Sqn Super Puma.
There were 2 crashes in 1991 which killed 6 (4+2) and another incident in 1990 in Thailand where it was not known if the airframe was a w/o.
By: - 6th July 2011 at 15:15 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
From World Air Forces Directory
s/n's of Super Puma are 220/223, 268/299
shows 284, 294 crashed in 1991
so possible is 221 last seen 86
282 90
285 93 Nov.
Chris
Posts: 3,328
By: Don Chan - 24th February 2009 at 02:46
While on-line researching (with another usual suspect who monthly/voluntarily contributes to the AFM mag) ROCAF accidents in China, Taiwan, and USA; Taiwanese blogs/sites record a Singaporean military AS332M crashed in Taiwan, on 16 April 1994.
16 April 1994:
AS332M Super Puma. (282 or 285?)
Probably 125th Squadron, RSAF (Republic of Singapore Air Force), based at SBAB (Sembawang AB), Singapore.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/125_Squadron,_Republic_of_Singapore_Air_Force
About 4:30 AM, during air support sortie, crashed on Ba Gua Mountain, near ROCA artillery base, Tian Zhong Town, Chang Hua County.
Four crew were killed, including a ROCA liaison officer, Second Lieutenant LIN Chih Hsien.
(Or three killed, and two wounded?)
Helo broke into three pieces.
Singaporean Army is trained in Taiwan, under Project Xing Guang (Star Light).
126th Squadron, RSAF, based at Oakey AB, Australia, formed in 1996, and flies the AS532UL Cougar.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/126_Squadron,_Republic_of_Singapore_Air_Force
Alert 5 (2009.02.24):
I only know its [sic] either 125 or 126 Sqn. The CO was the pilot in command when it slammed into a hill/mountain during a NVG flight. Second Puma following behind broke off after the TACAN signal was lost. They had mistaken a town and took a wrong turn.
http://www.helis.com/database/sqd/sg_125_squadron/
http://www.rocahc.org/memo/4.htm
http://www.vansky.com/club/read.php?tid=187198&page=e
http://blog.yam.com/ewarbirds/article/19089590
http://mypaper.pchome.com.tw/kuan0416/post/1310858822
http://mypaper.pchome.com.tw/news/kuan0416/3/1310858822/20081024112217/
http://nc.kl.edu.tw/bbs/archive/index.php/t-3081-p-4.html
http://nrch.cca.gov.tw/ccahome/search/search_meta.jsp?xml_id=0000718917&dofile=cca220001-hp-cdn0008070-0001-i.jpg
I only know Wikipedia says 125th Squadron, Singaporean AF, based at Sembawang AB, has 22 AS-332M since '85.
Anyone here knows the serial number, unit, and other details of this Singaporean military AS332M that crashed in Taiwan?
Or, at least recommend some serious Singaporean blogs/sites in English, where I can ask?