MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Air Force (PAF) will conduct a maintenance inspection on all of its S-76A aircraft after of one of its units crashed in Barangay Manggas, Lantawan town, Basilan on Wednesday (September 16).

Air Force Public Affairs Office Chief Lt.Col Aristides Galang said they have sent a team of investigators to Basilan to determine what could have caused the incident.

“In response to the unfortunate incident, the PAF will be conducting prompt maintenance inspection of all S-76A aircraft as a standard procedure in events such as this,” he said.

“A team will also be sent to the area to conduct further investigation of the said mishap.” he added.

The bodies of all four Air Force personnel who died in the crash were also transported to Zamboanga City. 

Information from the Armed Forced of the Philippines West Mindanao Command said the fatalities include pilot Major Jessie Miller, his co-pilot Lt. Mack-Ar Ferrer, aircrew Staff Sgt. Miguel Banas and Airman 2nd Class Benedicto Leal Jr.

PAF has extended its sympathies to the families of the victims.

“With utmost respect, the PAF headed by its Commanding General, Lt. General Allen Paredes extends its deepest and sincerest condolences to the bereaved families,” Galang said.

The aircraft crash landed on a rubber plantation owned by Lantawan Vice Mayor Nasser Abubakar, allegedly due to inclement weather.

The team was bound for Jolo, Sulu for an emergency medical evacuation of their comrades who were wounded in the August 24 bombing. They were supposed to transfer them for further treatment in Zamboanga City. MNP (with details from Lea Ylagan)

Four people were killed after a rescue helicopter belonging to the Philippine Air Force crashed in Lantawan town in the province of Basilan on Wednesday.

Authorities said the bodies of the casualties have been recovered by the members of the 4^th Special Forces Battalion dispatched to conduct a search and rescue operation at the crash site.

Initial investigation showed that the chopper, believed to be flying from Zamboanga City to an unknown destination, crashed in a rubber plantation in Barangay Upper Manggas in Lantawan around 1 p.m.

Authorities said the chopper went down during a bad weather but investigation into the cause of the incident is ongoing.

They are also verifying the identities of the fatalities and whether they were all Air Force personnel. – RRD (with details from Correspondent Val Villaflor)

Four members of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) perished in a helicopter crash in Cauayan City, Isabela on Thursday (July 23).

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said five personnel were onboard the Huey Helicopter. They were conducting proficiency training for night flying in the vicinity of the Tactical Operations Group-2 area in Cauayan City when the accident happened.

“The two pilots, the other officer, and one of the two aircrew perished. The other airman survived the crash and is now undergoing treatment,” the AFP said in a statement.

The names of the victims are withheld until their relatives have been notified, the AFP added.

Meanwhile, AFP Chief General Felimon Santos, Jr. expresses deep grief and extends condolences and prayers to the families and colleagues of the airmen who perished in this air operations mishap. AAC (with reports from Lea Ylagan)