A 25-year-old female pilot died when the helicopter she was maneuvering crashed into a rice field in Barangay San Miguel, Guimba, Nueva Ecija.

“Nakita po ‘yung isang light helicopter na nakalubog sa sapa. Nung nag-conduct tayo ng rescue operation, may nakuha po tayong katawan ng isang babaeng na patay na,” PLTCOL. George Calauad Jr., Guimba Police Chief, said.

Residents reported hearing a loud explosion around 5 p.m. on January 1, 2025 before spotting the wreckage.

The aircraft was retrieved from the water with the help of locals and authorities.

“May narinig akong kumalabog… sabi ng pulis, sisirin na namin para ma-rescue ‘yung sakay,” George Lutao, a resident who helped retrieve the victim, said.

“Hinanap-hanap namin tapos ako nga ‘yung nakakakita sa kaniya, nahawakan ko siya. Hiniwa namin ‘yung seatbelt, mahigpit. Kung naalis ‘yun, may posibilidad siyang nakalabas,” he added.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said the helicopter, with tail number RPC3424, departed from Baguio City at 11:51 a.m. and landed in Binalonan, Pangasinan, at 12:05 p.m. for refueling.

It took off later at 4:30 p.m. but never reached its destination.

“Nagkaroon ng hard time starting the engine daw ‘yung helicopter at umalis po naman ng Binalonan ng 4:30. Unfortunately, hindi na raw nakarating doon sa home base at nag-crash dito sa Guimba, Nueva Ecija,” Eric Apolonio, CAAP spokesperson, said.

Investigators are looking into the cause of the crash, which may take up to 30 days to determine.

CAAP has also grounded similar aircraft models operated by Lion Air Inc. while the probe continues.

The victim’s family has declined to give a statement.

LAST PASSENGER

In a report by GMA News Online, Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa said he was the last passenger of the helicopter.

The senator said the pilot "volunteered" to fly him and his two security personnel to Baguio City for an engagement.

The father of the pilot was a very close friend of him and former President Rodrigo Duterte, the senator added.

"Hinatid lang ako sa Baguio then pagbalik niya 'yun na," Dela Rosa told reporters.

According to the lawmaker, the flight towards Baguio City was "very smooth" and he did not notice anything wrong with the helicopter.

"Very smooth naman ang flight namin going towards Baguio. Napaka-smooth at masaya kami sa flight. Wala kaming naramdamang anything unusual," he said.

He asked for the pilot to just drop him off in Baguio City because he had another engagement in Binmaley, Pangasinan on the same day.

Dela Rosa opted to travel by land going to Pangasinan.

When asked if he considers it as a blessing in disguise, Dela Rosa agreed.

"Kasi kung nagpahintay pa ako matapos ang engagement ko sa Baguio para bumaba [at] sumakay ulit, magpahatid sa Binmaley, ayaw ko masacrifice 'yung oras dahil magsara agad 'yung clouds dyan sa Baguio. Kaya sabi ko i-drop na lang ako. Pag drop uwi na agad siya," he said.

Dela Rosa, along with Duterte, visited the wake of the pilot night on Sunday, January 2.

Dela Rosa said the pilot was "very skilled", "very competent," and "very experienced."

"It really breaks my heart... Heartbroken ako ngayon nakita ko ang bata na very bright ang future," Dela Rosa said.