Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 5) — Following the chopper crash in Tanay, Rizal that killed three people on May 4, the Philippine Air Force grounded its fleet of UH-1D helicopters on Friday.
The refurbished helicopters were purchased by the government at P1.2 billion from an American supplier in 2013, through a controversial acquisition process after claims surfaced they were defective.
The Tanay crash is the second incident involving the refurbished choppers.
In November last year, nine soldiers were injured when a similar helicopter crashed in Saranggani.
“Matagal na siyang operational eh, and properly maintained to eh,” said PAF Spokesperson Col. Antonio Francisco Jr.
[Translation: It has been properly maintained and operational for so long.]
3 killed, 1 injured in Tanay chopper crash – AFP
Two of the casualties in the crash, pilot-in-command Captain Paul Litan from Batangas and gunner Airman First Class Joseph de Leon from Pangasinan were rendered departure honors at the Villamor Airbase.
The third fatality, Staff Sergeant Byron Tolosa, hails from Pasay City.
The lone survivor and co-pilot, First Lieutenant Ceazar Rinas, is now in stable condition at the AFP Medical Center.
“Fortunately, Lieutenant Rimas is alive. He’s already stable and he will be a very big part of the investigation kasi siya yung actual na nandodoon eh (because he was actually there),” Francisco said.
Being a veteran chopper pilot himself, Francisco is puzzled on the circumstances of the incident.
He said while emergency or crash landings do happen, it is his first time to hear of a case where a chopper caught fire and broke into pieces.
“Maganda sana kung buo sya, madali syang imbestigahan,” Francisco said.
[Translation: The investigation would be easier if the chopper was whole.]
