MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Air Force (PAF) will not ground its Huey helicopters, despite the crash in Agusan del Norte that left seven persons injured last Sunday.
“We are treating (the incident) as an isolated case,” said PAF spokesman Lt. Col. Miguel Okol.
Armed Forces spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said the PAF has sent an investigating team from the PAF Safety Office and the 205th Helicopter Wing to ascertain the cause of the crash.
The team will complement the investigation being conducted by personnel from the Air Force Tactical Operations Group-10.
Burgos said three factors– environment, human error, and mechanical failure–were being considered as possible causes of the crash.
“We are treating this (incident) seriously and carefully to make sure that it will not happen again and that we can do the necessary steps to prevent its occurrence,” he said.
The Huey helicopter that crashed in Sitio Zapanta, Barangay Bangayan in Kitcharao town at about 10:30 a.m. was tasked to deliver military supplies.
All the injured passengers are now in stable condition.