By Priam Nepomuceno/PNA
MANILA — The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is now probing the actual cause of the air mishap involving a W-3A “Sokol” helicopter Thursday afternoon in Tarlac.
Initial reports said the accident took place as the helicopter, with tail number 923, was on its final approach for landing at Sitio Durongawan, Crow Valley Gunnery Range in Tarlac around 1: 40 p.m. Reports were not clear as to the cause of the mishap.
The aircraft was carrying eight civilian passengers, two pilots and two crew members at the time, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said in a message to reporters.
“All passengers, the aircrew, and the pilots were safe. Some suffered bruises and minor injuries. The pilot-in-command however sustained a head injury,” he said.
Also, Arevalo said AFP personnel in the vicinity immediately rushed to help the injured passengers with first aid treatment before being evacuated by a PAF air ambulance to a nearby treatment facility.
“As of this time, all the injured passengers are being treated at the Clark City Hospital while others were brought to the Philippine Army Training and Doctrines Command Hospital where they are undergoing check up,” he said.
PAF spokesperson Major Aris Galang said the helicopter’s passengers were headed to the AFP Legislative Engagement when the accident took place.
He added that the group took off from the Training and Doctrine Command in Camp O’Donnel, Capas, Tarlac.
A report coming from Congress said that one of the helicopter’s passenger was House Deputy Minority leader Anthony Bravo of COOP-NATCCO Partylist. Bravo’s chief-of-staff, Rene Buenviaje, confirmed that the lawmaker only suffered some bruises.
Also, among the passengers was former House Secretary General Cesar Pareja, who said he only suffered minor scratches.