ANIM na kasapi ng Philippine Air Force ang iniulat na namatay makaraang bumagsak ang isang bagong biling Blackhawk S70i chopper noong Miyerkoles ng gabi habang nagsasagawa ng night flying proficiency training sa Capas, Tarlac.

Kinumpirma ni Air Force Col. Maynard Mariano, PAF Public Information Office chief, may anim na sakay ang bumagsak na military chopper.

“So far, no survivors have been found. The identities of the aircrew members will be provided as soon as the members of their families are properly notified. We grieve for the loss,” ani Col Mariano.

Nabatid na lulan ng Polish-made Blackhawk chopper ang tatlong Air Force pilot na may ranggong lieutenant colonel at dalawang major, at tatlong crew na binubuo ng isang master sergeant, technical sergeant at sergeant.

Ayon sa inisyal na ulat, nagsasagawa ng night flying proficiency training noong Miyerkoles ng gabi ang isang S-70i Black Hawk Utility Helicopter ng 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing, hindi kalayuan sa Colonel Ernesto Rabina Air Base sa Capas, Tarlac.

Nabatid na nagsimulang lumipad ang chopper bandang alas-8:00 ng gabi at iniulat na hindi ito nag-check kaugnay sa estimated time of return nito sa Clark Air Base, Pampanga, bandang alas-10:00 ng gabi kaya agad pinasimulan ang search and rescue operation.

Nabatid na ang bumagsak na chopper ay idineliber lamang sa Pilipinas noong Nobyembre ng nakalipas na taon.

“Night flight proficiency [training is] part of the capabilities of the pilots and crew, in this case the Blackhawk S70i, prior to 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,” paliwanag ng PAF.

Nabatid na dahil sa sakuna, pansamantalang grounded muna ang mga bagong biling Blackhawk S70 habang nananatiling grounded o hindi pa pinapayagang paliparin ang nalalabing Huey helicopters ng PAF bunsod ng isa pang aksidente sa Bukidnon.

“I may not be able to speak to you right now kung ano ‘yung mga reason about this but the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Air Force decides that they should stay grounded as of the moment,” ayon sa tagapagsalita.

“We at the Department of National Defense 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,” pakikidalamhati ni Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

Inihayag naman ni AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, agad silang magsasagawa ng pagsisiyasat hinggil sa insidente.

“An investigation is underway to uncover the circumstances of the incident,” ani Gen. Sobejana. (JESSE KABEL)