TWO pilots died when a Philippine Navy trainer helicopter crashed near the Cavite City public market Thursday.

Navy spokesman Commander John Percie Alcos said the Navy's Robinson R22 trainer chopper, which took off from the Sangley Airport in Cavite City for a training flight, developed engine trouble and crashed at 6:45 a.m. The bodies of two Philippine Navy pilots who died in a helicopter crash near the Cavite City Public Market during a training on Thursday, April 11, 2024 are carried onto a van as fellow soldiers watch. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO The bodies of two Philippine Navy pilots who died in a helicopter crash near the Cavite City Public Market during a training on Thursday, April 11, 2024 are carried onto a van as fellow soldiers watch. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO The bodies of two Philippine Navy pilots who died in a helicopter crash near the Cavite City Public Market during a training on Thursday, April 11, 2024 are carried onto a van as fellow soldiers watch. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO The bodies of two Philippine Navy pilots who died in a helicopter crash near the Cavite City Public Market during a training on Thursday, April 11, 2024 are carried onto a van as fellow soldiers watch. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO The bodies of two Philippine Navy pilots who died in a helicopter crash near the Cavite City Public Market during a training on Thursday, April 11, 2024 are carried onto a van as fellow soldiers watch. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO The bodies of two Philippine Navy pilots who died in a helicopter crash near the Cavite City Public Market during a training on Thursday, April 11, 2024 are carried onto a van as fellow soldiers watch. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO The bodies of two Philippine Navy pilots who died in a helicopter crash near the Cavite City Public Market during a training on Thursday, April 11, 2024 are carried onto a van as fellow soldiers watch. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO The bodies of two Philippine Navy pilots who died in a helicopter crash near the Cavite City Public Market during a training on Thursday, April 11, 2024 are carried onto a van as fellow soldiers watch. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO The bodies of two Philippine Navy pilots who died in a helicopter crash near the Cavite City Public Market during a training on Thursday, April 11, 2024 are carried onto a van as fellow soldiers watch. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO The bodies of two Philippine Navy pilots who died in a helicopter crash near the Cavite City Public Market during a training on Thursday, April 11, 2024 are carried onto a van as fellow soldiers watch. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO The bodies of two Philippine Navy pilots who died in a helicopter crash near the Cavite City Public Market during a training on Thursday, April 11, 2024 are carried onto a van as fellow soldiers watch. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO The bodies of two Philippine Navy pilots who died in a helicopter crash near the Cavite City Public Market during a training on Thursday, April 11, 2024 are carried onto a van as fellow soldiers watch. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO The bodies of two Philippine Navy pilots who died in a helicopter crash near the Cavite City Public Market during a training on Thursday, April 11, 2024 are carried onto a van as fellow soldiers watch. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO The bodies of two Philippine Navy pilots who died in a helicopter crash near the Cavite City Public Market during a training on Thursday, April 11, 2024 are carried onto a van as fellow soldiers watch. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO The bodies of two Philippine Navy pilots who died in a helicopter crash near the Cavite City Public Market during a training on Thursday, April 11, 2024 are carried onto a van as fellow soldiers watch. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO The bodies of two Philippine Navy pilots who died in a helicopter crash near the Cavite City Public Market during a training on Thursday, April 11, 2024 are carried onto a van as fellow soldiers watch. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO The bodies of two Philippine Navy pilots who died in a helicopter crash near the Cavite City Public Market during a training on Thursday, April 11, 2024 are carried onto a van as fellow soldiers watch. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident. PHOTOS BY MIKE ALQUINTO

The chopper made an "emergency landing" near the city market, and the pilots were taken to nearby hospitals but they did not survive.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the bereaved loved ones. All necessary support will be extended to them," said Alcos.

The chopper was piloted by Lt. John Borres, 36, and his co-pilot Ens. Izzah Taccad, 27, both assigned at Naval Air Wing, Sangley Point, Cavite City.

Borres was declared dead on arrival at the Cavite Medical Center while Taccad died while being treated at Bautista Hospital.

Alcos said the helicopter was the last of the two R22 trainer aircraft in the Navy's inventory.

The Navy will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the accident, Alcos said.

He said Navy aircraft undergo regular inspection and maintenance to ensure airworthiness.

"Nevertheless, no stone will be left unturned as we endeavor to prevent this kind of accident from happening again," Alcos said.