A UH-1H Super Huey helicopter—believed to be among the Philippine Air Force’s (PAF) few remaining units of its kind—crashed in Loreto, Agusan del Sur, on Tuesday, Nov. 4, while conducting relief operations in areas battered by typhoon “Tino.”
According to PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Christina Basco, the aircraft was part of a four-helicopter formation deployed from Davao to Butuan to carry out a Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA) mission.
She said the PAF lost communication with the Super Huey near the vicinity of the Philippine Army’s 60th Infantry Battalion, prompting the immediate launch of a search and rescue operation.
There is still no official word on possible casualties or the number of personnel onboard.
In a statement, the PAF said it was focusing all efforts on the ongoing search and rescue operations.
“We are praying for the safety of the pilots and crew involved in this unfortunate air mishap,” Basco noted.
A full investigation will follow once the wreckage is located, she added.
The Super Huey is an upgraded version of the UH-1H Huey utility helicopter, a workhorse aircraft that has served the PAF for decades in combat, transport, and disaster response missions. (Martin Sadongdong)
