2 dead in Navy chopper mishap near Cavite City market

Two pilots were killed after a training helicopter of the Philippine Navy crashed near a public market in Cavite City on Thursday morning, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

“The PN Robinson R22 trainer helicopter conducted emergency landing this morning at vicinity near of Cavite City Public Market,” AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said.

Padilla said the two navy aviators were rushed to the hospital for medical treatment but they eventually succumbed to their injuries.

The AFP has yet to inform the families of the two deceased pilots about the accident, Padilla said.

An investigation is being conducted to determine the cause of the accident, she added.

For its part, the Philippine Navy said the aircraft took off from Sangley Airport to conduct a training.

“Philippine Navy aircrafts 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 said in a statement.

The Philippine Navy (PN) said it is “saddened by the accident.”

“We are withholding the names of the two Navy pilots while we inform their families. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the bereaved loved ones. All necessary support will be extended to them,” it added.

The incident happened in Draga Reclamation Area, Barangay 57 at 6:30 a..m., based on a report from the Police Regional Office 4A (PRO 4A). 

According to the police, the 36-year-old male pilot and the 27-year-old female co-pilot were assigned to the Naval Air Wing in Sangley Point in Cavite City.  

The pilot was brought to Cavite Medical Center but was declared dead on arrival. Meanwhile, the co-pilot was brought to Bautista Hospital but she passed away while being treated. 

According to the Philippine Navy, the aircraft that crashed was the last Robinson R22 in its assets. —KBK/RSJ, GMA Integrated News