A Philippine Navy helicopter crashed Thursday morning in Cavite City, killing the 2 pilots on board. Photo courtesy of PNP PRO4AThe Philippine Navy has formed a team to investigate the April 11 helicopter crash in Cavite City that claimed the lives of two pilots, Navy spokesperson Commander John Percie Alcos said.

“The investigation team was organized and created yesterday by the commander of the Naval Air Wing… This would prompt the start of the investigation,” Alcos told ABS-CBN News in a phone interview Friday.

Alcos said they have yet to determine the cause of the crash.

 2 piloto ng PH Navy patay sa chopper crash sa Cavite

“At this point, wala pa [possible angles]. We’ll make sure the investigation will be very thorough and comprehensive and expeditious so that we can ascertain ano ba talaga ang cause ng aksidente and para hindi na maulit ang ganitong insidente in the future,” he added.

The Navy identified the deceased pilots as Lt. Jan Kyle Torres, 36, and Ens. Izzah Leonah Taccad, 27.

The pilots, who were manning the Robinson R22 trainer helicopter, took off at Sangley Airport and attempted to make an emergency landing but crashed near the Cavite City Public Market around 6:00 a.m.

“This is an established training route. Most of our training flights are conducted in the Cavite area because the HQs of the Naval Air Wing is situated there. They only deviated from the flight plan because they wanted to stay away from the populated area during the conduct of the emergency landing para walang madamay when they crashed,” the Navy spokesperson noted.

Borres and Taccad were rushed to a nearby hospital by responding teams but succumbed to injuries.

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According to Alcos, Borres was one of their “best and most experienced” helicopter pilots. Taccad, on the other hand, had just completed her basic pilot training last year.

“This is a regular training flight. Ang instructor dito ay si Lt. Borres, who is [was] an experienced naval aviator, having been deployed all over the archipelago, even in the WPS. Ang student pilot dito ay si Ens. Taccad. Hindi na rin bago para kay Ens. Taccad ang pagpapalipad pero before you transition into the more capable helicopters we have like the AW109 and AW159, kailangan magsimula ka muna sa trainer helos,” Alcos said.

He went on, “Si Lt. Borres is [was] one of our best helicopter pilots, one of the most experienced also. Matagal nang nasa serbisyo si Lt. Borres. Si Ens. Taccad naman, nag-undergo siya ng basic pilot training last year, so mag-iisang taon na rin na piloto si Ens. Taccad. She is now specializing in flying helicopters.”

Alcos said the Navy is strict in conducting progressive maintenance schedules of its assets.

“Not only with aircraft, but even with ships and vehicles, very strict ang PH Navy sa pag-conduct ng progressive maintenance schedules. This is to ensure that assets, whether at sea, land or sa panghipampapawid ay operationally ready,” he said.

Despite the incident, the Navy official said the training of their naval aviators will be unimpeded.

2 dead as Philippine Navy chopper crashes in Cavite

“The training programs of our naval aviators will remain on schedule… We still have our Cessna training aircraft, at the same time, we can actually explore conducting joint trainings with other uniformed services,” Alcos said.

He then continued, “The R22 that crashed yesterday was the last one we have. There’s no need for us to ground other aircraft.”

The Philippine Navy on Friday rendered arrival honors as the remains of Borres and Taccad were brought to the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City.

A wake is being held at the cemetery’s mortuary. Families, loved ones and fellow Navy personnel remembered the lives of and paid their last respects to the deceased pilots.

Philippine Navy vice commander Rear Admiral Caesar Bernard Valencia also went to the wake.

“The PN has an established assistance system that was designed to help the bereaved families. This is on top of the regular compensation our servicemen receive in case of loss of life during actual operations and trainings,” Alcos said.

“Lubos na ikinalulungkot ng inyong Hukbong Dagat ang pagkawala ni Lt. Borres at ni Ens. Taccad. Kaisa kami ng pamilya sa pagluluksa sa pagkawala nila. Despite this serious setback, the PN will remain as the guardians of your seas, securing national sovereignty, stability and security,” he added.