CAVITE CITY, Philippines – A Philippine Navy helicopter crashed in Sangley Point, Cavite City, late Thursday morning, December 5, prompting the suspension of operations at the Sangley Airport.
Sangley Airport police said in a spot report that past noon of Thursday, it received the report of “Patrolman Jayve Villanueva, Aircraft Inspector, that a military chopper crashed at Sangley Point Naval Base Run Way, Cavite City.”
The aircraft took off from Sangley Point Naval Base, police said.
“Personnel of this Station were immediately dispatched to the area, however they were not allowed to proceed to the crash site by the personnel of Philippine Navy and they did not give any details of the incident,” Sangley Airport police said.
The Philippine Navy said in a statement that all the personnel onboard the helicopter — two pilots and three crew members — only “sustained minor injuries, were conscious. and safely transported to the 15th Strike Wing Hospital for medical evaluation.”
The Navy said its helicopter figured in an “incident during its training and maintenance flight” past 10 am on Thursday, and that “emergency response teams, including fire and medical personnel, were immediately deployed to the scene.”
Following the incident, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) announced the suspension of operations at Sangley Airport “until further notice.”
“All landing and take-off operations at Sangley Airport have been suspended, effective 10:18 am today, due to a disabled military aircraft on the runway. The suspension will remain in effect until further notice as authorities address the situation,” CAAP said in a statement.
In April, two Navy officers died after a training helicopter crashed during an emergency landing near the Cavite City Public Market. – Rappler.com