Philippines seeks US expert assistance on military airplane crash, will send black boxes

Philippines will be sending black boxes of Lockheed C-130 aircraft that crashed earlier this week to US in order to seek expert assistance in opening and analysing m, country’s military chief said on July 7. This came after United States pledged to help extract information from flight data and cockpit voice recorders that could help authorities understand more about tragedy that led to death of 53 people in sourn province of Jolo, Cirilito Sobejana said in a local television interview.

Noting that Philippines has no such capability, Sobejana did not even give timetable for when United States experts could complete extraction of data from black boxes. aircraft was carrying troops bound for counter-insurgency operations when it crashed with at least 96 on board. However, in country’s worst military air crash in nearly 30 years, 53 people died including three civilians. 

At least 49 or soldiers were rescued with wounds and survived fiery noontime crash into a coconut grove outside airport in Sulu province including some who jumped out of aircraft before it exploded and engulfed in fire. During interview, when Sobejana was asked if b wear or human error could be reason for accident, he replied that authorities are awaiting an official report from investigators.

"I told m to do it as fast as we can, but this should be deliberate," he said. "We wanted to get accurate information or facts."

Lockheed C-130 Hercules was one of two ex-US AirForce aircraft handed over to Philippines as part of military assistance this year. Initially, aircraft took off from Manila with only a few passengers including a two-star army general, Romeo Brawner Jr, who disembarked with his wife and three children in Cagayan de Oro City. army troops n boarded C-130 in Cagayan de Oro to reach Sulu.

“We’re very thankful that we were spared but extremely s that so many lost ir lives,” Brawner told Associated Press.

Pentagon chief speaks with Philippines Secretary of National Defense

On July 6, US Department of Defence Lloyd J Austin spoke with Philippines Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana on phone regarding July 4 plane crash. According to a reout of call provided by Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby, “Secretary Austin offered his deepest condolences to people of Philippines and families of those lost in this tragedy.  Secretary Lorenzana provided an update on response to incident and Secretaries discussed critical medical evacuation support provided by U.S. personnel for crash victims.”

“Secretary Austin offered to provide any ditional assistance that is possible, including for crash response and potential identification of victims. two leers closed call by reaffirming ir commitment to furr strengning U.S.-Philippines alliance, noting that y hope to meet in coming months,” he ded.

IMAGE: AP