Gwangju Fire Helicopter Crash

{{AI-generated|date=July 2025}}{{Infobox aircraft occurrence
| name = Gwangju Fire Helicopter Crash
| occurrence_type = Accident
| image = 2025-07-12 강원도 순직소방인 추모비 IMG 0938.jpg
| caption = Memorial for fallen firefighters in Gangwon Province
| date = 2014-07-17
| type = Crash due to pilot error
| site = Jangdeok‑dong, Gwangsan District, Gwangju, South Korea
| coordinates = {{coord|35.196319|N|126.815723|E|display=inline,title}}
| aircraft_type = Eurocopter AS365 N3 Dauphin
| operator = Gangwon Province Fire Service
| tail_number = HL9461
| origin = Gwangju Airport
| destination = Republic of Korea 2nd Corps
| passengers = 0
| crew = 5
| injuries = 1 (ground)
| fatalities = 5
| survivors = 0
}}

The '''Gwangju Fire Helicopter Crash''' occurred on 17 July 2014, when a [[Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin]] operated by the Gangwon Province Fire Service crashed in Jangdeok-dong, Gwangju, South Korea. The helicopter was returning from a [[Sinking of MV Sewol|MV Sewol ferry disaster]] search operation. All five crew members—firefighters—were killed, and one civilian on the ground was injured.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gwangju helicopter crash kills all aboard |url=https://news.v.daum.net/v/20140717204406215 |publisher=The Herald Business |date=2014-07-17 |access-date=2025-07-15}}</ref>

The cause was identified as pilot error during an unintended right pedal input, leading to an unrecoverable right roll and descent. The crew lacked sufficient instrument flight training, and command oversight was found inadequate.<ref>{{cite web |title=Accident Investigation Report: HL9461 |url=http://araib.molit.go.kr/LCMS/DWN.jsp?fold=airboard0201&fileName=%EA%B0%95%EC%9B%90%EC%86%8C%EB%B0%A9+%ED%9A%8C%EC%A0%84%EC%9D%B5%ED%95%AD%EA%B3%B5%EA%B8%B0%28HL9461%29%EC%82%AC%EA%B3%A0%EC%A1%B0%EC%82%AC+%EB%B3%B4%EA%B3%A0%EC%84%9C.pdf |publisher=ARAIB |date=2016-03-04 |access-date=2025-07-15}}</ref>

A joint memorial ceremony was held on 22 July 2014 at the Gangwon Provincial Office, with national and local officials in attendance. The deceased were posthumously promoted and buried at Daejeon National Cemetery.<ref>{{cite news |title=Funeral held for fallen firefighters |url=https://news.v.daum.net/v/20140722184104762 |publisher=Korea Economic Daily |date=2014-07-22 |access-date=2025-07-15}}</ref>

== Victims ==
* Jeong Seong-cheol, Fire Captain
* Park In-don, Fire Lieutenant
* Ahn Byeong-guk, Fire Sergeant
* Shin Yeong-ryong, Fire Corporal
* [[Lee Eun-kyo]], Firefighter

== Aftermath ==
Just before the crash, firefighter Lee Eun-kyo posted on social media about the lack of national status and resources for South Korean firefighters, sparking national debate about their treatment and working conditions.<ref>{{cite news |title=Late firefighter Lee Eun-kyo's social media post draws attention |url=https://news.v.daum.net/v/20140718092506563 |publisher=MoneyToday |date=2014-07-18 |access-date=2025-07-15}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Aviation accidents and incidents in South Korea]]
[[Category:2014 disasters in South Korea]]
[[Category:Accidents and incidents involving helicopters]]
[[Category:July 2014 in South Korea]]
[[Category:Firefighters killed in the line of duty]]