The Philippine Air Force has grounded all its newly-acquired S-70i Black Hawk combat utility helicopters after one of the choppers figured in a deadly crash in Capas, Tarlac on Wednesday night.
THE Philippine Air Force (PAF) said it has yet to find survivors in the crash of a military helicopter during a night-flying exercise in Tarlac Wednesday night (June 23).
“So far, no survivors have been found,” the PAF said in a statement. “Their identities will be provided as soon as the members of their families were properly notified.”
The S-70i Black Hawk Utility Helicopter, belonging to the 205th 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing on a night flight training from Clark Air Base in Pampanga, crashed a few miles from the Rabina Air Base in Capas, Tarlac.
PAF spokesperson Lt. Col. Maynard Mariano said the helicopter took off from Clark Air Base at around 8:00 p.m. for the exercise area and that PAF personnel got worried when there was still no contact with the helicopter and its crew at around 10 p.m.
He added that night-flight proficiency training are part of the capabilities of the pilots and crew prior to their full deployment to assist front-line units in their missions.
"Although with inherent risks, this competency is vital and necessary for the transport and logistics requirements of Unified Commands,” Mariano said.
As a consequence of the crash, the PAF has grounded all of its newly-acquired S-70i Black Hawk combat utility helicopters.
Mariano added the PAF will conduct a thorough inquiry to determine the circumstances of the incident.
"For the meantime, all the other Black Hawks will not be flown until the conclusion of the investigation," he said.
In a separate interview, Mariano said the helicopter involved in the mishap was among the first six units delivered in November last year. (See also: PH receives second shipment of Black Hawk helicopters )
Another five were delivered early this June. (ONT/With report from PNA)
Tags: #PhilippineAirForce, #BlackHawkhelicopters, #airdisaster