Victoria Court owner, pilot die in helicopter crash in Batangas

(Updated 7:13 p.m.) A civilian helicopter crashed in Mt. Maculot in Cuenca, Batangas before noon on Sunday, killing the pilot and passenger Archimedes “Archie” King, owner of the Victoria Court motel chain. 

 

In a statement to the media, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines confirmed reports that the Agusta 109E helicopter, with registry number RP-C2726 operated by Malate Tourist Devt Corp. crashed on its way to Manila.

 

"The helicopter flew in from Puerto Galera [in Mindoro Oriental] yesterday and remained overnight and left for Manila this morning carrying eight persons," the CAAP said.

 

The pilot, identified as Felicisimo Taborlupa, was killed in the crash, while King died at the Martin Marasigan Memorial Memorial Hospital in Cuenca.

 

King's wife, Ling-ling, is among the six injured passengers, the provincial police said. 

 

Among the injured passengers are Tatler Philippines editor-in-chief Anton San Diego, Christopher Chilip, Patricia Chilip, and model-designer Tina Maristela-Ocampo and her husband Rico.

 

CAAP has yet to determine what caused the crash. — Joel Locsin/JDS/BM, GMA News