Female Pilot Loses Life as Helicopter Plummets into Nueva Ecija Creek
FEMALE PILOT – A female pilot tragically lost her life after her helicopter crashed into a creek in Nueva Ecija.
A tragic helicopter crash claimed the life of a 25-year-old female pilot in Guimba, Nueva Ecija, after the aircraft plunged into a creek near a rice field on Saturday afternoon. The pilot was reportedly transporting a passenger from Manila to Baguio before the fatal incident occurred.
According to reports, the helicopter, identified as RPC 3424, departed from Manila at approximately 10:22 AM and arrived in Baguio. It later proceeded to Binalonan, Pangasinan, landing at around 12:05 PM for refueling. Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) spokesperson Eric Apolonio stated that the helicopter experienced difficulty starting in Binalonan but eventually managed to take off at approximately 4:30 PM. However, it never reached its intended home base, as it tragically crashed in Guimba, Nueva Ecija.
Local residents attempted to rescue the pilot, but she remained trapped inside the submerged helicopter due to a tightly fastened seatbelt. Resident George Lutao, who was among those who rushed to the scene, recounted their desperate efforts to save her.
“Sabi ng pulis sisirin na namin para ma-rescue yung sakay. Kaya yun, hinahanap-hanap namin tapos ako nga yung nakakita sa kaniya, nahawakan ko siya. Hiniwa namin yung seatbelt, mahigpit, kung naalis ‘yon may posibilidad siyang nakalabas,” Lutao said.
Aside from the deep water, thick mud reaching knee level also hindered rescue efforts. The Philippine Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Center received an emergency alert from the helicopter’s locator transmitter between 7:04 PM and 7:14 PM, allowing authorities to pinpoint the crash site.
In response to the tragic incident, LionAir Inc., which operated the aircraft, has temporarily grounded similar helicopters for thorough inspection and investigation. According to the report, Authorities are conducting further inquiries to determine the cause of the crash and to ensure the safety of future flights.
This unfortunate event highlights the risks faced by aviation professionals and underscores the importance of stringent safety measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
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