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Pilot dies, two others injured in chopper crash in Pampanga


A pilot died while two others were injured when a helicopter crashed in Clark, Pampanga on Tuesday night, August 16.

In Russel Simorio's report on GMA Regional TV "Balitang Amianan" on Wednesday, the crash took place along C.M. Recto Highway in Clark around 11 a.m.

The fatality was identified as Captain Diosdado Lumanlan. The injured passengers were Ivan Abiong at Rodley Esogon, both aircraft mechanics.

Based on the record of the Philippine National Police-Aviation Security Group Unit 3 (PNP-ASG), the helicopter is owned by Pacific Spotter Company and was built in 1973.

Investigations showed that a technical repair of the helicopter had just been done and Lumanlan and two mechanics boarded the chopper for a test flight.

Witnesses said the chopper suddenly overturned and crashed.

Further investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the crash.

“Nag-conduct ng investigation kasi masyadong technical ito para ma-determine kung ang cause ba ng insidente is mechanical error ba o human error,” said PNP-ASG Unit 3 chief Police Colonel Joy Tomboc.

(An investigation was conducted because it was too technical to determine whether the cause of the incident is mechanical error or human error.)

Meanwhile, Mabalacat City Mayor Cris Garbo offered his condolences to the family of Lumanlan.

Mayor Garbo also ordered the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to look into the incident and determine what assistance the local government can provide.

“Actually, ang instruction ni Mayor Chris Garbo ng Mabalacat is to coordinate kasi mga unang nag-respond doon ay mga taga-Clark. On the part of the LGU, we are coordinating naman kung mayroon pang mga kailangan na assistance doon sa mga first responder,” Mabalacat City information office Jay Pelayo said.

(Actually, the instruction of Mayor Chris Garbo of Mabalacat is to coordinate because the first responders are from Clark. On the part of the LGU, we are coordinating if there is any assistance needed for the first responders.) -- Mel Matthew Doctor/BAP, GMA News

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