Equatorial Guinea Air Force Z-9 Crash

A Harbin Z-9 helicopter of the Armed Forces of Equatorial Guinea crashed into the mountain range between the cities of Niefang and Evinayong on the mainland Rio Muni region. All four occupants were killed. The aircraft was operating an internal transport flight across the forested interior, where high terrain and rapidly changing cloud cover are recurring hazards. Equatorial Guinea operates a small number of Chinese-built Z-9 utility helicopters alongside Mi-17 and Mi-24 types, and the loss represents a significant reduction in an already limited rotary-wing fleet.