Philippine Navy Chopper Crash-Lands In Cavite, Crew Safe

MANILA, Dec 5 (Bernama-PNA) -- The Philippine Navy confirmed that one of its AgustaWestland AW-109 helicopters on a training and maintenance flight crash-landed at Sangley Aerodrome in Cavite Thursday, the Philippine News Agency (PNA) reported.

Commander John Percie Alcos said in a statement that the incident happened around 10.18 am (local time).

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.

He said the helicopter had five Navy personnel aboard -- a test pilot, a co-pilot and three maintenance crew.

Four had minor cuts and bruises while the other sustained a minor fracture.

"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-PNA