KORONADAL CITY (May 14) – A private helicopter crashed Monday morning in the mountains of T’boli, South Cotabato, due to bad weather. Its pilot, Capt. Reynaldo Acosta, survived minor injuries.
T’boli town Mayor Dibu Tuan confirmed the air crash which happened at about 9:45 a.m. in Sitio Upper Biangan, Barangay Basag, T’boli.
Tuan said the helicopter was operated by Vibrant Helicopters Agricultural Spray Corporation based in Davao City.
Acosta was airlifted by Philippine Air Force choppers to Davao City at 2 p.m. He is the husband of Davao City Councilor Mabel Acosta.
South Cotabato Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Officer Mila Lorca said the lone victim was en route to Barangay Kling, Kiamba to conduct aerial spraying over Lapanday banana plantation.
Lorca said Acosta just left Tampakan, after refueling, when the chopper crashed at Sitio Upper Bianan, Barangay Basag due to strong winds. -Edwin O. Fernandez/NewsLine.ph