(Photo courtesy of Philippine Navy)
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� A Philippine Navy (PN) helicopter crashed at Sangley Point Airport in Cavite City on Thursday morning.
In a statement, the Navy said Naval helicopter NH432 was 鈥渋nvolved in an incident during its training and maintenance flight鈥� at around 10:18 a.m.
It did not, however, specify what kind of incident occurred during the chopper鈥檚 flight.
鈥淓mergency response teams, including fire and medical personnel, were immediately deployed to the scene,鈥� the Navy said.
鈥淣o casualties were reported, and all personnel onboard, though with minor injuries, were conscious and safely transported to the 15th Strike Wing Hospital for medical evaluation,鈥� it added.
In a separate interview, Navy Spokesperson Commander John Percie Alcos said five individuals were aboard the helicopter 鈥� the pilot, his co-pilot and three maintenance crew members who all sustained minor injuries.
鈥淓xcept for one of the maintenance crew who might have a minor fracture, others sustained minor cuts and bruises,鈥� Alcos told reporters.
According to the PN, an investigation is already underway to determine the cause of the crash.
It will also temporarily ground all similar aircraft amid the ongoing probe.
鈥淩est assured that the Philippine Navy is committed to maintaining high standards of operational safety and will use the findings to improve our procedures moving forward,鈥� the Navy said.