CAAP: 4 hurt as helicopter crash-lands in Dole’s avocado farm in South Cotabato

Four people were hurt when an R44 Raven II helicopter crash-landed at an avocado farm in Tupi, South Cotabato on Wednesday morning, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

The CAAP said that the helicopter, bound for the municipality of Surallah, crash-landed after its take-off at the Dole-Standard Philippines Fruit Corp (Stanfilco) Avocado Farm at Sitio Glandang in Barangay Kablon at 9:57 a.m.

On board the helicopter were pilot Captain Dennis Figueroa and three passengers identified as Jorge Gonzales, Cecilia Donaire, and Alica Bengco, who are officials from DOLE Philippines, Inc.

The CAAP said the pilot and passengers were all safe but sustained minor bruises. They were rushed to the Howard Hubbard Memorial Hospital in Polomok town.

Meanwhile, the CAAP immediately sent Aircraft Accident Investigation and Inquiry Board (AAIIB) inspectors Rommel Ronda and Henry Paradero in the area to probe into the cause of the crash-landing. — MDM, GMA News