New Z-9 variant crashed during maiden flight.

Helicopter crashes in Harbin injuring two
16:25, September 19, 2010
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90776/90882/7145209.html

A helicopter crashed in Harbin, the capital of northeastern Heilongjiang province, on Saturday, causing two injuries and no fatalities, Beijing News reported on Sunday.

It is understood that the helicopter crashed near a village in Pingfang Township on the outskirts of Harbin near the test-flight of the Hafei group at about 11 a.m. It is a new aircraft and crashed when conducting its first test flight. Rescue teams rushed to the scene after the crash and the scene was blocked off by the police.

"Compared to fixed-wing aircrafts, survival chances in helicopters are much greater when crashing," said Mr. Wang, who is a technician and has worked in the helicopter manufacturing industry nearly 20 years.

As long as there is no major damage to the rotor blade, which powers the lift, the helicopter will descend in a tolerable speed, Wang said. And if it has power, the speed of the descent will slow, so people will not be wounded, he said.

The cause of the crash is currently still under investigation.

By Liang Jun, People's Daily Online