TWO pilots reportedly died after a Philippine Navy (PN) helicopter crashed near Cavite City Public Market on Thursday morning, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
“A PN Robinson R22 trainer helicopter conducted an emergency landing this morning [near] Cavite City Public Market,” AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla told reporters in a Viber message.
“The two navy aviators were rushed to the hospital for medical treatment but succumbed to their injuries,” she said.
Padilla said families of the pilots have yet to be informed about their death. Hence, their names were withheld even if the Police Regional Office (PRO) 4A identified them in a statement.
She also said an investigation to determine the cause of the incident is underway.
Police said the deceased are a 36-year-old male lieutenant and a 27-year-old female co-pilot, who are both assigned at the Naval Air Wing Sangley Point Cavite City.
Police also said the two were rushed to the hospital for medical treatment, but the male victim was declared dead on arrival, while his co-pilot died while being attended to at a hospital in Cavite.
The Navy also issued a statement on the incident. It said the chopper took off from Sangley Airport early Thursday morning to conduct a training flight when the incident occurred around 6 a.m.
“All similar aircraft are temporarily grounded while a thorough investigation rolls out to determine the cause of the crash,” the Navy said.
“Philippine Navy aircraft undergo regular inspection and maintenance to ensure airworthiness. Nevertheless, no stone will be left unturned as we endeavor to prevent this kind of accident from happening again,” it added.
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