PAF helicopter on Tino response mission crashes

MANILA, Philippines — A helicopter of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) on its way to assess the damage brought by Typhoon Tino and assist displaced residents crashed in Loreto, Agusan del Sur yesterday afternoon.

The PAF has yet to release details of the incident, noting that members of a search and rescue team have yet to reach the crash site, which was believed to be near the headquarters of the Army’s 60th Infantry Battalion in Barangay Sabud.

“The aircraft was part of a flight of four helicopters that departed Davao for Butuan to conduct a rapid damage assessment and needs analysis mission,” the PAF said. “Communication with the helicopter was lost, which prompted the launch of a search and rescue operation.”

Lt. Col. Salvacion Evangelista, spokesperson for the Eastern Mindanao Command, said the Super Huey was on a mission to support humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations related to Tino in Caraga.

The Air Force said a thorough investigation would be conducted to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash. It gave assurance that additional details would be released to the public as soon as verified information is available.

“All efforts are focused on the ongoing search and rescue operations. We are praying for the safety of the pilots and crewmembers involved in this unfortunate air mishap,” the PAF said.

In March, an FA-50 fighter jet of the PAF crashed at Mount Kalatungan in Bukidnon while on a mission to support ground troops engaged in an encounter with New People’s Army guerrillas.

Two military pilots died in the incident, which according to investigation was caused by a confluence of factors, including the inherent risk of flying at night over a mountainous terrain combined with the complexity of multi-aircraft combat operations.