At least 6 dead in Bukidnon Air Force helicopter crash

COTABATO CITY --- Three Air Force personnel and three Army servicemen perished in a helicopter crash at Impasugong town in Bukidnon at past 2:00 p.m. Saturday, key military sources said.

Some reports said seven have perished.

The UH-1H Air Force helicopter was on a resupply mission for the Army’s 403^rd Brigade in Malaybalay, Bukidnon when its engine malfunctioned, causing the crash.

Police Capt. Jester Lou Longakit, spokesperson sa Bukidnon Provincial Police Office. confirmed the crash and rescue workers have difficulty reaching the crash site due to heavy downpour. 

An Air Force pilot, co-pilot and a crew member and three soldiers were confirmed to have died in the crash, according to sources from the Army’s 4^th Infantry Division and the Bukidnon provincial police office.

Soldiers have secured the crash site while another military team is searching for a seventh passenger of the ill-fated helicopter who was reported missing. 

Below is a report from Pinoy Aviators page: 

"A Philippine Air Force (PAF) UH-1H “Huey” helicopter with tail number 517 from the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing crashed at Barangay Busdi in Impasug-ong, Bukidnon at around 1400H today 16 January 2021.

The said Huey helicopter was on a resupply mission with three army personnel onboard. The Huey pilots encountered engine trouble where they try to save the helicopter and avoid crashing the helicopter to a populated area.

The two Air Force pilots, two Huey aircrews and the three army soldiers onboard Huey flight 517 died in the crash.

Our deepest sympathies and condolences to the families and loved ones of the two Huey pilots, two Huey Aircrews and the three Army personnel onboard “Huey 517.”