6 Sokol choppers grounded after crash

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has grounded all six remaining Sokol helicopters in its inventory following the crash of one in Puerto Princesa, Palawan province on Nov. 8.

Col. Antonio Francisco, PAF spokesman, said the cause of the Sokol 926 crash was still under investigation.

The pilot and 12 crew members and passengers, including Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) police regional director, Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor, and three other police generals, were slightly injured.  They were brought to the hospital for treatment.

The helicopter was doing a reconnaissance flight in preparation for the Nov. 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations Chief Justices’ Conference when it attempted an emergency landing after it experienced a mechanical problem and crash-landed in Sitio Sabang of Barangay Cabayugan.

The eight W-3A Sokol helicopters from Poland were acquired by the PAF in 2013, three years after placing its order for the modernization program.

In 2014, Armed Forces chief Gen. Ricardo Visaya, then commander of the 4th Infantry Division, was on board a Sokol helicopter that crashed in Lanao del Sur province after its engine lost power.

Francisco said there was no feedback yet from the Sokol investigating team.

He said the inquiry focused mainly on whether the crash was due to a mechanical failure or pilot error.  The six other Sokol helicopters were also being checked.

Francisco also said the grounding of Sokol choppers would not affect PAF’s operational capabilities as it still has several Huey and Sikorsky helicopters still flying.