Pilot found dead after AeroGulf helicopter crashes into sea following take-off from Dubai

Search continues for second pilot on board craft when it went down on Thursday night

An AeroGulf helicopter similar to this crashed into the sea with two pilots on board on Thursday. The National

One pilot has been found dead after an AeroGulf helicopter crashed into the sea on Thursday, the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority said on Friday.

Search and rescue operations continue for a second pilot.

The Bell 212 medium helicopter took off from Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai for a night-training exercise with two pilots on board, an Egyptian and a South African.

The authority has not confirmed the nationality of the deceased.

It sent its condolences to the family of the pilot.

In a statement, the GCVAA said the helicopter had crashed off the coast of Umm Al Quwain.

It said rescue teams were working to recover the remaining wreckage of the craft.

AeroGulf confirmed the crash on Friday and said the helicopter went down at 8.07pm.

“The helicopter was conducting routine training operations between Al Maktoum International Airport and an offshore rig. The helicopter was carrying two crew members and no passengers” the company said.

It said that updates would be given when more information was available.

“We are working with the aviation authorities and doing all we can to gather information as quickly as possible,” the commercial helicopter operator said.

“At this moment our thoughts and prayers are with our crew and their families who were on board the helicopter. We will do everything we can to help those who have been affected by this accident.

“Our emergency response has been activated and again we are working closely with all the authorities involved. We will share as much information as possible just as soon as we can. Further statements will be issued once more details become available.”

The Air Accident Investigation Sector of the General Civil Aviation Authority received a report of the crash at 8.30pm on Thursday.

AeroGulf is based at Al Maktoum International Airport.