Military chopper makes emergency landing at Zambo Sur school grounds

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur – A military helicopter made an emergency landing at the Tukuran Central Elementary School in Barangay San Carlos, Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur.

Maj. Gen. Gabriel Viray III, commander of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division, said the Black Hawk helicopter made an emergency landing Friday afternoon due to severe weather while en route to Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur and Cotabato City.

Viray said the helicopter encountered “heavy rain and rapidly decreasing visibility.”

A video of the incident on social media shows the chopper flying low above a school building and its rotor blade hitting the branches of a nearby tree.

“As a precautionary measure, and to ensure the safety of all on board, the pilot made the decision to land at the nearest safe location, which was the Tukuran campus,” Viray explained.

The helicopter carried military officials who just attended the inauguration of the Panguil Bay Bridge led by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.

Viray said they understand that the unexpected landing caused alarm among the students and faculty present in the campus, but assured that no injuries were reported.

“The decision to drop off passengers at Tukuran was made with the utmost consideration for safety before the helicopter resumed its journey to Cotabato,” he added.