PH Air Force Hueys grounded after Lanao del Sur crash

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has grounded its fleet of Huey helicopters after one on medical evacuation crashed in Lanao del Sur on Thursday (Nov. 26).

Lt. Col. Aristides Galang said the grounding of the entire UH-1 fleet after a crash is standard operating procedure.

In the meantime, Bell 412 helicopters would fill the gap left by the grounding of Hueys.

“We have many other types of aircraft,” Galang said.

Like Hueys, Bell 412 helicopters are used for a variety of missions like search and rescue, passenger transport and disaster relief.

Galang said the duration of the Hueys’ grounding is uncertain yet.

On Thursday, bad weather forced a PAF Huey to make an emergency landing shortly after takeoff in the town of Madalum after picking up four soldiers wounded in a bomb blast.

A helicopter crew member was injured. One of the soldiers being airlifted and who was critically wounded in the blast died.

TSB