MANILA, Philippines- Inihayag ng Philippine Air Force (PAF) nitong Martes ang mitsa ng pagbagsak ng FA-50PH fighter jet sa Bukidnon noong March 4, na dahil umano sa panganib ng night flying sa bulubunduking lugar at sa pagiging komplikado ng multi-aircraft combat operations.
Sa press conference, sinabi ni PAF spokesperson Colonel Ma. Consuelo Castillo na nakumpleto na ng militar ang imbestigasyon sa aviation mishap, ang unang crash na kinasangkutan ng South Korean-made Golden Eagle aircraft sa air force inventory.
“The thorough investigation points to a confluence of factors including the inherent risk of night flying mountainous terrain combined with the complexity of multi-aircraft combat operations,” wika ni Castillo.
“Moving forward, the PAF is committed to strengthening our safety protocols, fostering excellence in every mission through a more robust organizational safety culture, prioritizing the well-being of our personnel and the preservation of our equipment in all future operations,” dagdag niya.
Nang tanungin kung posibleng nakaranas ang aircrew ng vertigo, umapela si Castillo laban sa “finger-pointing.”
“Right now, we urge everyone to have more understanding and consideration. We appeal against finger-pointing at this point,” giit ng PAF official.
“What is important is the PAF recognizes that we need to improve on our safety protocols. At the same time, look at the different aspects from mission planning, preparation, at the same time the way we execute using our tactics, techniques, and procedures,” dagdag niya.
Noong March 4, nawala ang FA-50 fighter jet na may tail number 002 sa isang tactical night operation upang suportahan ang ground troops, base sa PAF.
Natagpuan ang wreckage aircraft ng search and rescue teams noong March 5 sa bisinidad ng Mt. Kalatungan Complex sa Bukidnon. Namatay ang dalawang pilotong kinilalang sina Major Jude Salang-Oy at First Lieutenant April John Dadulla, sa insidente.
Pansamantalang na-ground ang 11 natitirang FA-50s dahil sa insidente. Binawi naman ang kautusan noong March 25. RNT/SA
