CAAP sets probe over N. Ecija chopper crash

Nueva Ecija — Authorities on Sunday confirmed that a female pilot died Saturday when the helicopter she was flying crashed in Guimba, Nueva Ecija.

The helicopter, bearing body number RP-C3424, crashed into a swamp in Purok Arimug-mong, Barangay San Miguel, around 5 p.m. The pilot was later identified as Julia Flori Monzon Po, a pilot for television host and senatorial candidate Willie Revillame.

Revillame visited HM Mina Funeral Services in Guimba on Saturday night, where Po’s remains were taken. The body was scheduled to be transported Sunday night to Heritage Park in Taguig City, Metro Manila.  

Scene of the crime operatives were deployed to the crash site for forensic processing, and a post-mortem examination was planned.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) launched a technical investigation to determine the cause of the crash.  

“Initial reports indicate that the helicopter departed Manila at 10:22 a.m. on 1 February 2025, en route to Baguio, where it dropped off a passenger,” CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio said in a statement.

Reports said that the helicopter then took off from Baguio at 11:51 a.m. for Binalonan for refueling, landing at 12:05 p.m.  

“Binalonan Airport officials noted that the aircraft experienced difficulty restarting its engine before departing at 4:30 p.m. Authorities later confirmed with the Guimba Police Station that the crash site was located in Purok Arimungmong, Barangay San Miguel,” Apolonio said.

Between 7:04 p.m. and 7:14 p.m., the Philippine Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Center (PARCC) received six emergency locator transmitter (ELT) warnings. Authorities, working with the Guimba Police Station, confirmed the crash site. Po, the sole occupant of the helicopter, did not survive.

Investigators from CAAP’s Aircraft Accident Investigation and Inquiry Board (AAIIB) were dispatched to the scene to determine the cause of the crash.  

Guimba Police Chief Lt. Col. George Calaud Jr. said Po was retrieved from the wreckage and was unresponsive. She was wearing sports gear, including a sports bra and jogging pants.

According to rescuers, Po was alone in the helicopter. A salvage operation was conducted around 7 p.m. to lift the helicopter from the creek.

CAAP’s investigation will include a thorough examination of the wreckage, a review of the helicopter’s maintenance records, and interviews with witnesses and anyone who had contact with the pilot before the flight.

Investigators will also analyze weather conditions at the time of the crash and consider any other potential contributing factors.

The fact that the helicopter experienced difficulty restarting its engine in Binalonan will likely be a key focus of the investigation as investigators will try to determine the nature of the engine problem and whether it played a role in the subsequent crash.