CAUAYAN, Isabela – Four personnel of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) were killed while another was injured when the helicopter that they were riding on suddenly crashed during a flight proficiency training here Thursday.

Four bodies have been recovered from the wreckage of a military chopper which crashed while taking off from a military camp in Cauayan, Isabela on Thursday evening July 23, 2020. (Photo courtesy of Kellykenza Bonilla Sawit / MANILA BULLETIN)

Major Gen. Edgard Arevalo, spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said Friday that the victims were two pilots, an aircrew, and a PAF officer.

The victims were identified as Major Christopher Cesar Urbano, the pilot in command; Capt. Fiorelio Bernardo, co-pilot; 1st Lt. Mike Tuesday Tabigne, PAF officer; and Staff Sgt. John Christopher Taguiam, aircrew.

The lone survivor, another aircrew, was identified as Airman First Class Gerry Aviles Jr., who was taken to the Isabela United Doctors Medical Center for immediate treatment.

Initial investigation by the military and police said a Huey (UH-1D) helicopter with tailgate No. 8308 crash landed shortly after taking off for night vision goggles (NVG) proficiency training at the vicinity of the Tactical Operations Group 2 (TOG 2) area at the Cauayan Air Station around 7 p.m.

"The military aircraft with five personnel onboard were conducting proficiency training for night flying when the accident happened," Arevalo said.

The helicopter exploded as it hit the tarmac of the TOG 2 ramp area.

Lt. Col. Aristedes Galang, PAF spokesperson, said an investigation team from the Air Force has been deployed to Cauayan Air Station to determine the cause of the accident.

The bodies of the victims have been recovered and taken to a funeral home. Isabela Provincial Police Office spokesperson Frances Littaua said personnel of the Cauayan City Police Station assisted the Scene-of-the-Crime Personnel of the Cauayan City Crime Laboratory office in processing the area.

Gen. Felimon Santos Jr., AFP chief of staff, grieved and extended condolences and prayers to the families and colleagues of the victims.

"He (Santos) commits to help facilitate the assistance and other entitlements of our gallant Philippine Air Force personnel who died in the line of duty," Arevalo said.

Lt. Gen. Allen Paredes, PAF commanding general, was saddened by the death of his personnel and extended sympathies to the families of the victims.

"The PAF will continue to care for its gallant airmen and their services will be honored. Their families will be given assistance," Galang said.

The PAF has placed all of its Huey chopper units nationwide in an "on hold" status due to the incident. It said the helicopters will be subjected to "stringent maintenance and safety inspections" while the cause of the accident is yet to be determined.

Martin Sadongdong & Liezle Basa

4 dead in PAF chopper crash in Isabela