6 survive Laguna chopper crash

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna – The pilot, mechanic and four passengers of a twin-engine private helicopter sustained minor injuries when the aircraft crashed in a residential area in San Pablo City, Laguna Saturday afternoon, police said.

Senior Superintendent Felipe Rojas Jr., provincial police director, said the chopper (RP-C 1495/Augusta) owned by Country Club Development Corp. crashed into the house of Nicanor and Aleli Chayle at the corner of Schetelig Avenue and Balagtas Boulevard when its engine malfunctioned at about 3:15 p.m.

The pilot, Capt. Isabelito Floro, 57, and aircraft mechanic Vincent Velasco, 30, suffered minor injuries. Also hurt were Gil Portugal, 39; Adolfo de Ramos, 50; Rey Salud, 38; and Cathy Palparan, 44, who were all rushed to the San Pablo Doctor’s Hospital. The Chayles were unhurt. – Arnell Ozaeta, Ed Amoroso