Thursday, May 24, 2007 Chopper crash in Liloan blamed on pilot error
THE Philippine Air Force (PAF) yesterday said the UH1H helicopter crashed last Tuesday in Jubay, Liloan town after the trainee pilot failed to “maneuver for recovery” during the simulated emergency procedure.
But Maj. Gen. Pedro Ike Yncierto, commander of the Tactical Operations Command (TOC), failed to explain why an 18-year-old girl and an eight-year-old boy were on board the chopper during the training flight.
Yncierto said he will reserve his comment on the matter until he receives the official report on the investigation by the 205th Tactical Operations Wing (TOW), which operates the Huey helicopters.
Yncierto stressed, however, that the chopper was not defective at the time of the accident and was in good condition.
Huey helicopters were used by the Americans in its war with Vietnam in the 1970s, then donated to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Another Huey helicopter crashed on Humay-Humay Road in Lapu-Lapu City last April 28, killing seven civilians and two military crew.
According to Yncierto, practice sessions on emergency flying, landing and the simulated emergency procedure are part of the program of instruction. The trainee pilot was under the supervision of an instructor during the accident.
Brig. Gen. Arthur Manzanedo, commander of the 205th TOW, and 205th group commander Lt. Col. Ernesto Milo led the dismantling of the helicopter in Jubay yesterday.
The helicopter’s parts were loaded into three six-by-six trucks, which transported them to Mactan Benito Ebuen Air Base.
Investigation
Manzanedo told ABS-CBN they are now investigating Capt. Roderick Lindog and Capt. Cherrylane Laporteza, pilot and co-pilot, respectively, on why the teenager and the child were allowed to board a training flight.
The two other members of the crew were identified as Sgt. Apolinario Sumikad and Sgt. Joseph Abrigo.
Manzanedo also said they don’t see any mechanical problems in Huey helicopters, which they use for daily operations and pilot training.
A pilot’s miscalculation probably caused the two helicopter crashes reported in Cebu in recent weeks, he added. (EOB)
