TWO Philippine Navy pilots died after their trainer helicopter crashed near the Cavite City public market yesterday morning.
Navy spokesman Commander John Percie Alcos said an investigation is underway to determine what caused the incident involving its Robinson R22 helicopter.
Alcos said the helicopter took off from the Sangley Airport in Cavite City for a training flight. It made an “emergency landing” near the city market at around 6 a.m.
“The pilots were rushed to nearby hospitals by the responding teams from the Philippine Fleet and Naval Air Wing, but it is unfortunate that they were not able to make it,” said Alcos.
The fatalities were identified as Lt. Jan Kyle Borres and Ensign Izzah Taccad.
Alcos said the Navy is “saddened by the accident.”
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the bereaved loved ones. All necessary support will be extended to them,” said Alcos.
Alcos said Borres, the lead pilot, was “one of the most experienced pilots that we have, having been deployed all over the archipelago.”
Taccad, he said, finished basic pilot training and is undergoing specialization training.
“From flying fixed-wing aircraft, she is transitioning to flying helicopters,” said Alcos.
Alcos said the ill-fated helicopter was the last R22 aircraft in the Navy’s inventory. He said the Navy initially had two R22 helicopters which the Navy acquired in 2007.
He said the other R22 has not been used for about five years now after being declared as not airworthy.
“A thorough investigation will still be conducted by the Navy to determine the cause of the accident,” said Alcos.
“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,” said Alcos.
Several military aircraft have crashed over the past years, including an SF-260TP plane that went down in Bataan in January last year, leaving two pilots dead.
In June 2021, a Blackhawk helicopter crashed in Tarlac during a training flight, leading to the death of three pilots and three crewmembers.
A month later, a C-130 transport plane crashed in Sulu, killing some soldiers on board.
