CAVITE CITY—An AW-109 helicopter of the Philippine Navy crashed at Sangley Airport on Thursday, December 5, during a functional check flight following routine maintenance.

Navy spokesperson Commander John Percie Alcos confirmed the incident, stating that the helicopter’s two pilots and three crew members sustained minor injuries.

According to Alcos, the aircraft had just completed a four-hour scheduled maintenance inspection prior to its flight from Sangley Point. The helicopter crashed shortly after takeoff while undergoing standard post-maintenance flight procedures.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash. The AW-109 helicopter is a key asset in the Navy’s fleet, primarily used for maritime security operations.