German pilot also survived 2003 helicopter crash

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga, Philippines - – The German pilot who survived the helicopter crash in Manila Bay off the coast of Hagonoy, Bulacan last Sunday is a survivor of a similar incident in 2003 in Capas, Tarlac.

Iren Dornier, then chairman of the Southeast Asian Airlines (SEAIR), and his compatriot Willy Blosch, were flying a three-seater Allouette SE-30 helicopter when they hit a high-tension wire in Capas.

Their story came out in The STAR in 2003.

The two were on a local flight that took off from Clark where they were expected to be back in 30 minutes when the accident happened, the report said.

The Capas police said the helicopter crashed into the O’Donnel River in Barangay Bueno in the town.

The police also reported the two survived the crash and managed to extricate themselves from their aircraft and walk to an Army detachment to report the incident.

As in the accident last Sunday, Dornier, who was piloting the helicopter, and his companion also survived unscathed.

SEAIR later issued a statement saying the helicopter was forced to make a precautionary landing due to change of weather.

Last Sunday, Dornier was reported to be a mere passenger in a Bolkow 105 helicopter with an American, Capt. James Eagle, piloting the aircraft.

The chopper crashed near the shores of Hagonoy, Bulacan after its engine shut down, reports said.

Dornier and Eagle  were able to send  a distress signal before ejecting from their aircraft, alerting Villamor Airbase and a US Marines C-130 crew that was heading back to the air base after delivering relief goods to Tacloban City, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said.

A US helicopter was able to locate Dornier’s helicopter, but a fisherman, Danilo delos Reyes, had already rescued Dornier and Eagle.

Dornier and Eagle were brought to the detachment of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Navotas.

Dornier was quoted as having wondered what caused the helicopter to malfunction as it had two engines.

Their helicopter is operated by Aviation Enterprises based in Clark where it was headed when it crashed, after delivering relief goods to victims of Typhoon Yolanda.