‘Helicopter’s technical woes just minor’

MANILA, Philippines - Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin yesterday downplayed the glitches that hit a brand-new Sokol helicopter acquired recently by the Air Force, saying these were just “minor.”

Gazmin said the technical problem experienced by the aircraft was “nothing of major concern.”

“These are minor deficiencies. I have not received the report (about the troubled helicopter) but from what I gathered, it was caused by a weak battery,” he said.

The W-3A helicopter (tail number 310925) was supposed to be one of the two air assets that would transport security officials to Clark, Pampanga last Monday for the Air Force’s 66th anniversary rites.

The aircraft, however, had to make a precautionary landing due to a technical glitch.

Gazmin revealed that the troubled air asset was supposed to bring Armed Forces chief Gen. Emmanuel Bautista to the venue.

Due to the unexpected problem, a third helicopter was dispatched to Camp Aguinaldo and Bautista was forced to hitch a ride on Gazmin’s aircraft.