The aircraft that crashed in Barangay Malatimon, Ampatuan town, Maguindanao on Thursday was operating under a U.S. government contract, supporting security cooperation activities with the Philippine government.
In a statement Friday, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) Public Affairs said it is a U.S. military-contracted aircraft engaged in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations at the behest of the Philippine government when it plummeted in Malatimon.
“The incident occurred during a routine mission in support of U.S.-Philippine security cooperation activities,” INDOPACOM said. The crash killed a U.S. service member and three defense contractors.
“We can confirm no survivors of the crash. There were four personnel on board, including one U.S. military service member and three defense contractors,” it added.
Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) also said today that it is investigating the cause of the crash and is coordinating with local authorities.
The aircraft involved was a Beechcraft King Air 300 with registration number N349CA, which departed from Cebu and was en route to Cotabato City when the accident occurred.
CAAP said further details will be provided as the investigation progresses.
“CAAP is working closely with local authorities to determine the cause of the incident,” CAAP said in a statement.
The names of the victims are being withheld pending notification of their families.
