Engine failure blamed for PAF chopper crash

Investigators blamed engine failure as the cause of the crash-landing of the helicopter of the Philippine Air Force in sitio Mayana, barangay Biasong in Balamban the other day.

Brig. Gen. Arthur Mancenido, Wing Commander of 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing based in Mactan Benito Ebuen Air Base, told reporters yesterday that the helicopter lost power, prompting the pilot to crash-land.

The UH-1H Huey 757 was a total wreck after hitting trees and rolling down the slope. Fortunately, its four crew and five passengers were safe.

Capt. Milo Arañes and Capt. Jack Rey Mosomos, the pilot and the co-pilot of the helicopter, and their gun crew, Sgt. Leovehildo Depedra and Sgt. Jose Maria Emperado, were able to go back to base before midnight.

The names of the five other passengers, all PAF members coming from a wake in Iloilo City, were not divulged to the media. Mancenido denied reports that the helicopter was carrying civilians during the time of the incident.

Arañes and Mosomos, who are now under investigation, are prevented from flying any of the PAF aircraft following the incident.

According to Mancenido, three helicopters were coming from Iloilo doing landing insertion exercise when the accident happened.

Maj. Gen. Nicomedes Corpuz, the 2nd Air Division Commander at the MBEAB said “the pilot (of the ill-fated helicopter) was not able to apply a complete power mix.”

Aside from the engine failure, investigators are also looking into other possible causes of the crash.

The UH-1H “757” was part of the military equipment donation by the United States in August 2006. It was assigned to the 205th THW last October. — Edwin Ian Melecio/LPM