MANILA, Dec 5 (Bernama-Xinhua-PNA): Five people, including two pilots, were injured after a Philippine Navy helicopter crashed at an airport in Cavite province, south of Manila, a naval spokesperson has said.
Commander John Percie Alcos said an AgustaWestland AW 109 helicopter crashed on Thursday morning at the Sangley Point airport. The chopper took off to conduct a functional check flight after maintenance inspection.
He said two pilots and three crew members onboard suffered minor cuts, bruises, and a minor fracture.
"All personnel onboard, though with minor injuries, were conscious and safely transported to a military hospital for medical evaluation," Alcos said.
An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the incident, he said.
The Philippine Civil Aviation Authority said in a short statement that all landing and take-off operations at the airport have been suspended due to a disabled military aircraft on the runway.
It added that the helicopter was being subjected to a "training and maintenance flight" shortly after undergoing its scheduled maintenance inspection at the time of the mishap.
"(It) was a functional maintenance check before we send the aircraft to the operational area so it was during the training and maintenance flight when the aircraft crash landed," Alcos said in a separate interview.
"Emergency response teams, including fire and medical personnel, were immediately deployed to the scene. No casualties were reported and all personnel onboard, though with minor injuries, were conscious and safely transported to the 15th Strike Wing Hospital for medical evaluation," Alcos said.
The Navy operates at least four units of the AW-109, which were delivered between 2013 and 2014.
A comprehensive investigation is underway to determine the cause.
"Moreover, all similar aircraft will be temporarily grounded during the investigation. Rest assured that the Philippine Navy is committed to maintaining high standards of operational safety and will use the findings to improve our procedures moving forward," Alcos said. - Bernama-Xinhua-PNA
