MABALACAT CITY -- A pilot died while two of his companions were injured as an old chopper -- a 1973 model – crashed at the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga on Tuesday morning, August 16.
City mayor Crisostomo Garbo readily issued a statement expressing his deep sorrow over the fate of the pilot whom he identified as Diosdado Lumandan who died in the incident.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victims of this unfortunate incident that happened this morning at the Clark Freeport Zone,” said Mayor Cris Garbo in a statement.
With Lumandan in the chopper were two mechanics identified as Ivan Abiong and Rodley Esogon who both sustained injuries.
Citing a report from Clark Development Corp-Public Safety Division, a technical repair of the 1973 helicopter with model MD369HS had just been done and Lumandan and the two company mechanics boarded the chopper for a test flight.
Unfortunately, the chopper overturned and crashed in the vicinity of the Nabcor area.
The CDC personnel immediately responded to the incident, and so did the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office on an instruction by Mayor Garbo.
“I offer our deepest condolences to the family of Lumandan during this difficult time and I send prayers of healing to the two other passengers who were hurt,” said Mayor Garbo.
“I call on the Mabalaquenians to pray for the eternal repose of the soul of Lumandan,” the Mayor added.