US Surveillance Plane Crashes in the Philippines, Killing Four
YouTube / Associated Press
Beechcraft Crash
A surveillance aircraft contracted by the Pentagon crashed in the Philippines on February 6, killing all four people on board, including a U.S. Marine and three defense contractors. The Beechcraft Super King Air 350, operated by the American defense contractor Metrea, went down in a rice field in Barangay Malatimon, Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur.
The aircraft, registered as NC349CA, was conducting an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) mission at the request of the Philippine government, according to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM). The crash occurred during what officials described as a routine mission in support of U.S.-Philippine security cooperation activities. No one on the ground was injured, though a water buffalo was killed.
Reports From The Ground
Eyewitnesses reported seeing the aircraft flying low, as if surveying the area, before it suddenly nose-dived into an open field. Emergency responders recovered the bodies of the four victims, described as Caucasian-looking men. Authorities have not yet released their identities, pending notification of next of kin.
Metrea, the company operating the aircraft, expressed its condolences, stating, “It is with deep regret we confirm that there were no survivors. The families of our crew have been informed, and we are providing full support. We are working closely with government authorities to establish the cause of the accident.”
Aircraft Background
The aircraft had been operating out of Mactan-Cebu International Airport, one of the sites designated for U.S. military access under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).
Investigators from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and the U.S. military are working to determine the cause of the crash. Early reports indicate the aircraft may have exceeded its designated flight ceiling before it went down. The crash site remains secured by police and military personnel as authorities conduct a thorough investigation.
