Fatal Accident (1) – Robinson R44 Raven ll, RP-C3424, Guimba, Nueva Acija, Philippines, February 1, 2025
Aviation Safety X Report |
On February 1, 2025, a Robinson R44 Raven II helicopter with registration RP-C3424 crashed in Guimba, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, resulting in the fatality of its pilot. The helicopter, privately owned and used for ferry/positioning, had departed from Baguio earlier in the day after dropping off passengers. It made a scheduled refueling stop at Binalonan Airport at 12:05 p.m. but experienced difficulty restarting its engine. After multiple attempts, the aircraft finally departed at 4:30 p.m., en route to Manila-Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL/RPLL). However, during its flight, the helicopter lost control and crashed into a swampy rice field in Purok Arimung-mong, Barangay San Miguel, Guimba, at approximately 5:15 p.m.. Local residents, including George Lutao, witnessed the impact and immediately alerted authorities. Responding police officers and first responders arrived within 30 minutes. Lutao, along with other residents, attempted to extract the pilot, who was still strapped into the cockpit. Despite their efforts, she showed no signs of life upon retrieval. Police Cpl. Raymark Duque attempted to administer first aid, but resuscitation was unsuccessful. The Guimba Police Station** confirmed the pilot’s identity, linking her to television host and senatorial candidate Willie Revillame, who later visited the crash site and the funeral home where the pilot’s remains were taken. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) launched an investigation into the incident. According to CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio, all registered aircraft in the country undergo routine safety checks, and investigators would examine the helicopter’s service records to determine any maintenance issues. The Philippine Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Center detected multiple Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) signals between 7:04 p.m. and 7:14 p.m., providing additional data for crash analysis. Preliminary reports confirmed that weather conditions were stable at the time, with no significant wind or rainfall, ruling out meteorological factors as a primary cause. The wreckage of RP-C3424 was classified as destroyed, and the pilot was the sole occupant onboard. The Aircraft Accident Investigation and Inquiry Board (AAIIB) has been tasked with determining the exact sequence of events leading to the crash, focusing on the mechanical failure reported at Binalonan Airport. Investigators are evaluating whether the engine trouble before departure played a role in the aircraft’s loss of control. Meanwhile, the pilot’s remains were transported to Heritage Park in Taguig City, and further forensic examinations are expected to contribute to the final accident report. |
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Accident Location: Guimba, Nueva Acija, Philippines 15°34’41.83″N 121° 6’40.78″E |
Registration – 🇵🇭 Philippines
00-26860
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Year of Manufacture
2000
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Serial Number
unkn.
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