The military has already retrieved the bodies of its Air Force six personnel from the S70i Black Hawk helicopter that crashed a week ago in Tarlac while on night proficiency training.
“The Philippine Air Force has completed the retrieval operations for the aircrew of the S70i Blackhawk #100 on 27 June 2021,” said Air Force spokesman Lt. Col. Maynard Mariano.
He said the recovery operation for the aircraft at the crash site was still ongoing as of Wednesday. In the meantime, the Air Force fleet of Black Hawks remained grounded.
Mariano identified the fatalities of the chopper crash as Lt. Col. Rexzon Pasco, instructor pilot; Major Jayrold Constantino, student pilot; Major Erano Belen, student pilot; M/Sgt. Ronnie Reducto, instructor scanner; T/ Sgt. Maricar Laygo PAF, student scanner; and Sgt. Leonardo Tandingan, student scanner.
The bodies of the six fatalities were recovered four days ago, according to Mariano.
“The aircrew will be brought to their respective hometowns as requested by their families,” Mariano said.
“The Philippine Air Force extends its deepest sympathy and sincerest condolences to the families, relatives and friends of the gallant air crew. The PAF shall extend all necessary assistance and support to the concerned families,” he added.
The Air Force said it was still investigating the crash, which happened last week in the vicinity of Crow Valley target range in Tarlac.
The ill-fated aircraft, attached to the 205th Helicopter Wing in Pampanga, was on a night-flying training when it ran into a mishap at past 8 p.m.
The crashed Black Hawk was among the first batch of six Black Hawk utility helicopters that was delivered to the Air Force and procured from Poland.
The second batch of delivery consisting of five similar helicopters arrived early last month.
The Air Force has contracted to buy a total of 16 Black Hawk helicopters.