Two Dutch naval officers killed when NH90 crashes in Caribbean

Tuesday, July 21, 2020 Dan Parsons Helicopter, Accidents, Maintenance, Military, Press Release, Law Enforcement

A Dutch NH90, similar to the one that crashed July 19 near Aruba, killing two. Greg Caygill Photo

Two Dutch naval officers were killed on July 19 when the NH90 helicopter in which they were flying crashed near the Caribbean island of Aruba.

Both 34-year-old pilot Lt. Christine Martens and 33-year-old tactical coordinator Lt. Erwin Warnies were killed in the crash that occurred at the end of a Coastguard patrol, according to a statement from the Netherlands Ministry of Defence.

Chief of Defence Admiral Rob Bauer announced the deaths at a press conference in The Hague. The families of the victims have been notified by the Ministry of Defence.

Two other crew members escaped without serious injury.

Wreckage of a Dutch NH90 float inverted in the Caribbean Sea on July 20, 2020. Netherlands Ministry of Defence Photo

Another Coastguard helicopter and a Netherlands naval diving team are helping the ship to secure the NH90 wreckage. Photos released by the Dutch Ministry of Defence show the wreckage floating upside down under the buoyancy provided by the helicopter’s emergency flotation system (EFS). Reports indicate the flight data recorder has been recovered.

The NH90, developed by NHI Industries, a joint venture of Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo Helicopters and Fokker Aerostructures, was flying from the patrol ship HNLMS Groningen. The ship is deployed to the Dutch overseas territory of Curaçao to help support counter-narcotics and fisheries missions.

The Netherlands Defence Safety Inspectorate is expected to conduct an investigation.

An online book of condolence for the crew has been opened on www.defensie.nl.

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