The helicopter flew from Haltikon/LSXN via Zurich/LSZH and Kassel/EDVK to Hamburg, where it is being dismantled and prepared for shipment to Chile. There it will be used for firefighting duties during the southern summer.

In a surprise move in early 2023, Heliswiss International bought this 1963 (!) built KV-107 from Columbia Helicopters. Till 1976, this airframe has been operated by the Royal Thai Army, serialled "4003". The small HSI fleet of only three helicopters now consits of three different types. The sanctions on Russia due to the Ukraine conflict makes it hard for HSI to operate the Kamov KA-32 HB-XKA, while the sole AS-332 HB-XVY is quite expensive to operate. Thus, HSI took a rather unconventional decision and obtained this KV107, the first civilian of it's kind to be operated in Europe.

Built in 1963 for the Thai military and still with Columbia in 2023.

Transferred to the Papua New Guinea register as P2-CHA in 1991. Nigel Apperley photo

Served as P2-CHA for only three months, from 9 February 1991 until returned to the US as N186CH on 16 May 1991. This helicopter crashed near Emigrant, MT on 31 August 2001. Nigel Apperley photo.