The Philippine Air Force (PAF) confirmed on Wednesday, Nov. 5, that six of its personnel were killed after a Super Huey helicopter crashed in the mountains of Loreto, Agusan del Sur on Nov. 4 while en route to assess damage from Typhoon Tino.
The fallen airmen, all from the elite 505th Search and Rescue Group, the PAF’s frontliners in humanitarian and disaster response missions, embodied the unit’s guiding motto: “That others may live.”
Killed were the pilot in command with the rank of Captain, who had been a PAF pilot “for seven to eight years;” the co-pilot with the rank of Second Lieutenant; and four aircrew namely the crew chief, two helicopter mechanics, and a jump master. The fallen airmen were described as “well-trained and highly skilled.”
PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Christina Basco confirmed that all six bodies had been recovered by Philippine Army troops near the 60th Infantry Battalion’s area of responsibility.
“The Philippine Air Force is awaiting the final forensic report to confirm their identities,” she added.
According to Basco, the Super Huey was one of four aircraft dispatched from Davao City to Butuan for a Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA) operation at 10:55 a.m. The others were two Black Hawks and a Bell helicopter.
The Super Huey lost communication with its flight group en route at 11:37 a.m., and was later found in a mountainous and heavily vegetated area in Agusan del Sur at 11:56 a.m.
Based on unofficial photos circulating on social media, the aircraft’s debris were completely charred as the chopper burst into flames upon impact.
“There were three other aircraft flying with them in a buddy-buddy system. When communication was lost, the others immediately searched the area,” Basco said.
“The aircraft took off while observing wind limitations or wind conditions, so if the wind conditions are not favorable, we do not allow takeoff because the safety of our aircrew is paramount. At that time, they were able to take off and were supposed to carry out the mission. Unfortunately, the mishap still occurred,” she added.
CAUSE PROBED
The cause of the crash remains under investigation but Basco said the weather, as well as possible mechanical or technical issues, were being examined by PAF investigators and the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) team currently at the crash site.
“So far, we cannot pinpoint the exact cause until the investigation is complete. The aircraft was mission-capable and cleared for takeoff. We always prioritize safety before every flight,” she said.
Investigators were locating the blackbox to retrieve flight data and cockpit voice recordings, which could provide crucial information on what led to the crash. The aircraft debris were also being collected as part of the probe.
The Super Huey, a refurbished aircraft acquired from the United States in 2011, was described as “reliable and well-maintained.”
“It has been reconfigured to operational standards and airworthiness. It’s a very reliable aircraft and we use this in all our HADR operations,” Basco said.
As a result of the crash, the two remaining Huey aircraft in the PAF fleet have been grounded pending the results of the investigation.
The remains of the six airmen were undergoing forensic identification but two of them have been preliminarily identified as Mindanao-based personnel, one from Zamboanga and another from General Santos City.
Basco said the PAF has been coordinating with their families to ensure proper handling of remains, in accordance with cultural and religious practices.
Basco assured that the PAF would extend full assistance to the families of the victims including financial, psychological, and spiritual support.
The fallen airmen will also be accorded heroes’ honors. (Martin Sadongdong)
