The United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) and the US Embassy in Manila separately confirmed the deaths of all four passengers aboard a Beechcraft King Air 300 that crashed in Maguindanao del Sur while flying a mission at the request of the Philippine government.
“We can confirm no survivors of the crash. There were four personnel on board, including one US military service member and three defense contractors,” the US INDOPACOM said in a statement.
The plane was reportedly on a “routine mission supporting US-Philippine security cooperation activities” when it nose-dived into an open field in Barangay Malatimon on Thursday afternoon.
The US INDOPACOM said that an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash but offered no insights on flight details or the exact nature of the plane’s mission.
Meanwhile, the US Embassy said the aircraft “was providing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance support at the request of our Philippine allies.”
The Embassy said that the private plane involved in the tragic crash was “contracted by the U.S. Department of Defense”. The names of the crew are being withheld until their next of kin have been notified, it added.
“The cause of the crash is currently under investigation, and we have no further details to release at this time. Additional updates will be provided as they become available,” the statement said.
Eyewitnesses stated that the twin-engine aircraft, with registration number N349CA, was flying low over Ampatuan town, seemingly surveying the area, before it suddenly plummeted to the ground.
A male water buffalo which happened to be in the crash-site was also fatally injured, with its jaw and nasal bones hit and cut by the plane.
For its part, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) acknowledged that the occupants of the aircraft were providing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance support at the time of the crash.
However, AFP spokesperson Col. Margareth Padilla said details of the mission “will not be disclosed in the interest of confidentiality and operational security.”
“We extend our deepest sympathies to the families of those who lost their lives in the tragic crash. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time,” she said.
“Further details will be provided once the report becomes available,” said Bernardo.As this developed, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) announced that it had begun investigating the crash.
According to the initial report from CAAP, the aircraft departed from Cebu and was en route to Cotabato City for an aerial survey when it crashed in Barangay Malatimon, Ampatuan, at around 2 p.m.
“Further details will be provided once the report becomes available,” said Bernardo.