The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines on Tuesday disclosed that a power loss may have been the cause of the recent helicopter crash incident that occurred on 27 July 2023 at a banana plantation in Bukidnon province.
CAAP investigators said that the helicopter — a Robinson R44 ll operated by Philippine Adventist Medical Aviation Services and piloted by a CAAP license holder — took off on the specified date from PAMAS Airstrip, which is part of the MVC complex in Valencia City, Bukidnon.
The flight’s main objective was to pick up passengers in Barangay Bantuanon, Lantapan, and Bukidnon, who were supposed to take part in a skydiving activity as a part of the barangay’s fiesta celebration.
They added that the initial phase of the flight proceeded smoothly, and the aircraft safely reached the designated pick-up point. With four skydivers and the pilot on board, the flight began its ascent to the planned altitude of 8,000 ft.
However, at an approximate altitude of 3,000 ft., the helicopter experienced a sudden loss of power and upon noticing the problem, the pilot decided to discontinue the flight and initiate a return to the PAMAS airstrip.
But during the return attempt, the helicopter encountered further power loss and struggled to maintain its altitude, which prompted the pilot sought an area suitable for an emergency landing.