2 hurt in PAF chopper crash

ZAMBOANGA CITY – An Air Force attack helicopter crashed while landing at Zamboanga International Airport after a routine maintenance flight yesterday.

The helicopter’s two pilots were injured according to Col. Reynaldo Ramirez, Philippine Air Force 3rd Tactical Operations Wing commander.

Ramirez said Capt. Jocelyn Patrimonio and 1Lt. Vicentino Quirante were taken to Edwin Andrews Air Base hospital in Zamboanga City for treatment.

"But they are in stable condition," he said. "The pilots misjudged the ground distance while executing the touch-and-go flight causing the plane to crash."

Despite the crash, the Air Force will not ground its fleet of MG-520 attack helicopters, Ramirez said.

However, Air Force spokesman Maj. Augusto dela Peña said the Air Force might ground more than 20 other US-made MG520s if indications would show that the accident was caused by a mechanical defect.

Superintendent Ybar Padao, Zamboanga City Aviation Security Group chief, said the helicopter was landing when it suddenly crashed on the runaway.

The cause of the crash is still unknown, he added.

A commercial flight from Manila was diverted to Cebu, but was later allowed to land in Zamboanga City after the runway had been cleared, Padao said.

Originally, the Air Force had about 25 attack helicopters but several have been lost in accidents over the years. — With James Mananghaya, AP, AFP