CAPAS, Tarlac – A US S-70 Black Hawk utility helicopter with six personnel on board reportedly crashed here at past midnight last night.
Lt. Col. Maynard P. Mariano PAF (GSC), chief of the Air Force Public Affairs Office, released an official statement on Thursday morning.
The Black Hawk of the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing was on a night flight training and figured in a mishap a few miles from Colonel Ernesto Rabina Air Base here.
The Black Hawk was earlier reported to be late from the estimated time of return to its station at Clark Air Base, prompting the eventual search.
The statement said Night Flight Efficiency Training is part of the capabilities of the pilots and crew prior to their full deployment to assist frontline units in their missions.
Although with inherent risks, this competency is vital and necessary for the transport and logistics requirements of the Unified Commands.
So far no survivors have been found their identities will be provided as soon as the members of the families have been notified.
“We grieve the loss. The PAF will conduct a thorough inquiry to determine the circumstances of this unfortunate incident. In the meantime, all other Black Hawks will not be flown until the conclusion of the investigation,” said the official statement
A highly placed source said at about 1 am, the crash site was located at Sitio Manabayukan, Barangay Sta. Juliana here where three mangled bodies have been recovered and three more were missing but presumed dead.
As of this writing the PAF search, retrieval and recovery teams are diligently at work.
According to the source, Sitio Manabayukan is an Aeta Village.
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