Helicopter pilot falls from aircraft mid-flight: body found

The dead body of the missing pilot was found on Monday afternoon in the woods of Tihange in Liège province. A federal police forensic unit is on its way to the site. Legal authorities are looking into the possibility of suicide, report Belgian media.

The pilot, identified on Tuesday as Vincent Vankelberg, fell from a military helicopter on Sunday afternoon during an airshow by the 4th Bataillon de Génie at Amay, near Liège.

The co-pilot of the Agusta A-109 had assisted three parachutists make their jump from the aircraft before turning and discovering the pilot’s empty seat and open door. The helicopter was in a nose dive. He took control of the aircraft and landed it safely at Amay army base.

Neither of the pilots were equipped with parachutes. An investigation has been opened.