HELICOPTER CRASHED IN RELIEF OPERATIONS IN LEYTE, PHILIPPINES

photo of UH1H helicopter displayed at
MBEAB, Lapu-Lapu City

Investigation continues after a UH1H helicopter of the Philippine air force made an emergency landing and crashed in the town of La Paz Leyte last Friday afternoon.

According to 2^nd Air Division Commander Major General Romeo Poquiz, the helicopter had 8 passengers including two pilots from the 205^th tactical wing based in Mactan Benito Ebuen Airbase, another two from Department of Social Welfare and Development and the rest were soldiers helping for the   relief operations in typhoon Yolanda affected areas.

Most of the passengers got minor injuries but the main pilot acquired fractured bones on its leg. Injured are still recovering in hospitals after the accident.

Poquiz emphasized that all air assets owned by the Philippines are well maintained and inspected.

Maj.Gen Romeo Poquiz
Commander, 2nd AirDiv,PAF

“They are inspected there is a mandatory inspection there is a mandatory 360 visual inspection and also our pilots are well trained” according to Maj.Gen. 

Poquiz on a press conference headed by the Philippine Information Agency 7 at MIP lounge in Mactan Airport , Lapu-Lapu City.

The official added, even the helicopters were bought second-hand, they buy and change spare parts for the maintenance of the helicopters.

The incident did not affect the relief and rehabilitation efforts in Leyte and Samar and other areas affected by super typhoon Haiyan or Yolanda in the Philippines.