The Civil Aviation Authority Incident Inquiry Bureau (CAAIIB) has made great progress in its inquiry into the recent helicopter incident involving a PAMAS (Philippine Adventist Medical Aviation Services) aircraft. A Robinson R44 helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing on a banana plantation near the fourth PAMAS airfield in Bukidnon, Mindanao, Philippines, on Wednesday morning, July 26, 2023. The event caused fears, but police confirmed that all occupants were unharmed.
Following the event, the CAAIIB immediately launched an on-site investigation to ascertain the reason for the emergency landing. According to preliminary results, the engine's temperature increased as the helicopter was climbing to acquire altitude due to the high power being pushed. This overheating caused a loss of power, forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing on the banana plantation.
The skillful pilot executed the landing safely, avoiding any fatalities or serious injuries to anybody onboard. The pilot's rapid steps and the passengers' cooperative response led to the incident's fortunate ending.
Following an on-site assessment, officials loaded the damaged helicopter onto a trailer and drove it to the PAMAS hangar at the Mountain View College (MVC) airport. This action will simplify additional studies and allow specialists to acquire a better understanding of the specific variables that contributed to the engine overheating.
Despite the fact that this is the ministry's second huge loss in recent months, PAMAS remains committed to its purpose of bringing hope to people in need and pointing them to their Creator. The group expressed appreciation that no lives were lost as a result of the event and the passenger who was transported to the hospital for a precautionary check-up was cleared by doctors and allowed to return home.
In a recent social media update on the PAMAS Facebook page, they posted, "These aircraft are just machines. They are just tools to bring hope to those in need and point them to their Creator. God knows what is needed and can easily provide more helicopters or other tools to reach His children. Over the past 16 years God has faithfully provided for this work despite apparent setbacks just like these. Loosing our dear loved ones in the yellow bee is definitely much harder than loosing an aircraft, but through it all we must trust in our Heavenly Father."
The post went on to say this difficult period could be viewed as a chance to reflect and develop faith. "As we look to the One who ultimately owns each of us and this work, let us remember that He has eternal purposes much higher than our limited understanding. This is a time to search our own hearts, to repent as God convicts us of sin, to pray for ourselves and others, and then trust Him who has our best interests in mind."
PAMAS hoped that the present event, as well as the previous loss of the "yellow bee," would motivate people to consider helping, giving, or making God a priority in their lives. They expressed thanks for the support and prayers they have received and asked for continued prayers as they navigate these difficult times.
The original version of this story was posted on the Southern Asia-Pacific Division website.