PILILLA, RIZAL — A civilian helicopter crashed in a vacant lot in Barangay Quisao on Tuesday morning, March 3, 2026, leaving two people dead and three others injured.
- Time & Location: The crash occurred at approximately 7:20 a.m. in a grassy area of Upper Barak, Barangay Quisao, about 50 meters from the nearest cluster of houses.
- The Aircraft: A Bell 505 helicopter was en route from Manila to Quezon province when it was forced to make an emergency landing.
- Casualties: * Fatalities: One Malaysian national and one Filipino. One victim died at the scene, while the other was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.
- Injuries: Three survivors, including the pilot, were rushed to the Rizal Provincial Hospital in Morong. The pilot is currently in critical condition and is being transferred to a tertiary hospital in Metro Manila.
- Collateral Damage: Mayor John Masinsin confirmed that no residents were hurt and no houses were damaged, praising the pilot’s effort to steer the aircraft away from the residential structures during the “force landing.”
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has launched an investigation through its Aircraft Accident Investigation and Inquiry Board.
- Initial Findings: A report from the Rizal Provincial Police indicated that the pilot was forced to land because the engine was about to shut down.
- Weather: Officials noted that the weather was clear at the time of the incident, making the sudden mechanical failure the primary focus of the probe.