4 killed as PAF chopper crashes in Isabela

CRASH SITE Civil Aviation investigators and Air Force workers oversee the wreckage of the Huey helicopter that crashed Thursday night in San Fermin, Cauayan City. —VILLAMOR VISAYA JR.

CAUAYAN CITY—Four of five people on board a Huey helicopter of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) were killed on Thursday night when it crashed into the ramp area of Cauayan air station in this city shortly after takeoff.

The victims were identified as Maj. Christopher Cesar Urbano, the pilot in command; Capt. Fiorelio Bernardo, the copilot; 1st Lt. Mike Tabigne; and Staff Sgt. John Christopher Taguiam. Their bodies had been recovered from the wreckage.

Another passenger, Airman 1st Class Gerry Aviles Jr., survived and was taken to the Isabela United Doctors Medical Center after sustaining multiple fractures.

Police Brig. Gen. Crizaldo Nieves, Cagayan Valley regional police chief, said the PAF men were conducting night vision goggles proficiency training at the Tactical Operations Group 2 station at Barangay San Fermin here at around 7 p.m. when the helicopter crashed.

The helicopter belonged to the PAF’s 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing based at the Mactan Benito Ebuen Air Base on Mactan Island in Cebu province.

The cause of the crash was not immediately known but the PAF said it already launched an investigation.

Initial reports said the helicopter exploded as it hit the tarmac of the ramp area. Edmond Evaristo, a villager near the crash site, said they heard an explosion followed by a billowing smoke.

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Felimon Santos Jr. and the Department of National Defense condoled with the families and colleagues of the airmen.

Santos vowed to help facilitate the release of assistance and other entitlements due to the killed personnel. —VILLAMOR VISAYA JR. and NESTOR CORRALES