Mission to crash site suspended

THE CIVIL Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Sunday said retrieval operations for the two fatalities in a helicopter crash in Quezon province had to be suspended due to “zero visibility” brought about by bad weather.

Strong winds and heavy rains prevented helicopters from getting to the crash site in a mountainous area in General Nakar town, where the victims were supposed to rescue several stranded engineers and miners working at the Sumag river diversion tunnel.

“Rescuers from the Philippine Air Force 505th search and rescue group will try to reach the area again early tomorrow morning if good weather prevails,” the CAAP said.

It confirmed that the wreckage of  a single-engine light helicopter AS350B2 type with two people on board was located on Saturday at 3:30 p.m., five days after the aircraft went missing.

CAAP operations and rescue coordinating center identified the fatalities as Capt. Miguel Logronio and aircraft mechanic engineer Jay Gregorio.

The two were on a mission to pick up stranded workers of a tunnel project of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System in the town, which was inundated by floodwaters two weeks ago.

The CAAP said the crash site was first sighted by PAF helicopters on Aug. 23. The search and rescue team of the 48th infantry battalion  was alerted and it immediately proceeded to the crash site on foot with the help of the Dumagat in the area.

But the team had difficulties reaching the site, located on a very stiff portion of a cliff with thick vegetation, due to heavy rains and strong winds, it said.