An S-70i Black Hawk Utility Helicopter of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) crashed in Tarlac on Wednesday (June 23) night.
According to a PAF report, the S-70i Black Hawk Utility Helicopter of the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing was conducting a night flight proficiency training when the mishap occurred a few miles from Col. Ernesto Rabina Air Base in Capas, Tarlac.
According to the agency, the night flight proficiency trainings are part of the “capabilities of the pilots and crew prior to their full deployment to assist our frontline units in their missions.”
The helicopter was reported to be late for its estimated time of return to Clark Air Base, Pampanga. This prompted the search for the air asset.
Three pilots and three airmen did not survive the accident.
The PAF guaranteed an investigation to identify the cause of the incident. Meanwhile, all other Black Hawks will not be used until the “conclusion of the investigation.”
Report from Bea Bernardo/NGS – jlo
