/ 26 December 2006

SA helicopter seized in Mozambique

Mozambican civil aviation authorities seized a South African helicopter that allegedly landed illegally on a beach in Inhassoro in the southern province of Inhambane, the Mozambican news agency AIM reported on Monday.

Aim said the helicopter was seized on Friday.

The Inhambane provincial director of transport, Manuela Rebelo, said the flight plan filed by the helicopter pilot should have taken it from Vilankulo International Airport to the island of Bazaruto and no aircraft had authorisation to land in Inhassoro except in an emergency.

The pilot did not explain the landing.

Mozambican authorities have criticised the regular landing of light aircraft on the Inhassoro beaches, saying Friday’s was the second in a week. — Sapa