'No survivors found' as Black Hawk figures in Tarlac accident

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Thursday said a S-70i Black Hawk Utility Helicopter of the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing figured in an accident off Capas, Tarlac, during a night flight training on Wednesday.

In a statement, the PAF said the helicopter was earlier reported to be late from the estimated time of return to its station at Clark Air Base, Pampanga.

Search, retrieval, and recovery operations are ongoing.

“So far, no survivors have been found,” the PAF said.

In a separate statement, the Department of National Defense (DND) said three pilots and three airmen were killed in the chopper crash.

“We at the DND extend our deepest sympathies to the families of the three pilots and three airmen of an S-70i Blackhawk helicopter of the Philippine Air Force who perished when their plane crashed in the vicinity of Crow Valley  near Clark Air Base, Pampanga, after undertaking a night proficiency flight on Wednesday evening, June 23,” DND director Arsenio Andolong said.

“In the meantime, the entire Blackhawk fleet are grounded while the incident is being investigated,” he added.

The identities of the concerned personnel will be provided as soon as the members of their families were informed, according to the PAF.

“We grieve for the loss. The PAF will conduct a thorough inquiry to determine the circumstances of this unfortunate incident,” the PAF said.

For now, the PAF said all the other Blackhawks will not be flown until the investigation is finished.

According to PAF, “night flight proficiency trainings are part of the capabilities of the pilots and crew, in this case the Blackhawk S70i, prior their full deployment to assist our frontline units in their missions.”

Although with inherent risks, this competency is vital and necessary for the transport and logistics requirements of Unified Commands.” --KBK/RSJ, GMA News