PAF Suspends Operations of Sikorsky Helicopters
Photo Credit: Philippine Air Force Facebook Page
The Philippine Air Force has temporarily suspended the use of its Sikorsky S-76 helicopters following the chopper crash in Lantawan, Basilan Wednesday afternoon.
Air Force spokesperson LtCol. Aristides Galang confirmed that the helicopter involved was one of the PAF’s rescue choppers.
Two pilots and two crew members died in the incident.
Western Mindanao Command chief MGen. Corleto Vinluan said the aircraft was traveling from Zamboanga to Jolo, Sulu for a mission.
“They were going to Jolo to evacuate victims of the suicide bombing last August 24 who have multiple chest and adbominal injuries,” said Vinluan.
Initial information said bad weather might have caused problems for the aircraft, but the authorities have yet to formalize this information.
This is the second helicopter crash involving an Air Force aircraft in two months.
Last July, four PAF personnel were killed while one was injured after their UH-1 helicopter crashed shortly after takeoff during flight proficiency training at Cauayan Air Station in Isabela.
Air Force spokesperson LtCol. Aristides Galang confirmed that the helicopter involved was one of the PAF’s rescue choppers.
Two pilots and two crew members died in the incident.
Western Mindanao Command chief MGen. Corleto Vinluan said the aircraft was traveling from Zamboanga to Jolo, Sulu for a mission.
“They were going to Jolo to evacuate victims of the suicide bombing last August 24 who have multiple chest and adbominal injuries,” said Vinluan.
Initial information said bad weather might have caused problems for the aircraft, but the authorities have yet to formalize this information.
This is the second helicopter crash involving an Air Force aircraft in two months.
Last July, four PAF personnel were killed while one was injured after their UH-1 helicopter crashed shortly after takeoff during flight proficiency training at Cauayan Air Station in Isabela.
