An S-70i Black Hawk utility helicopter crashed north of Manila on Wednesday night, killing six crew members, Philippine Air Force (PAF) said on Thursday.

“Last night, June 23, 2021 an S-70i Black Hawk Utility helicopter of the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing on a night flight training figured in a mishap a few miles from Colonel Ernesto Rabina Air Base in Capas, Tarlac,” said PAF spokesperson Lt. Col. Maynard Mariano in a statement.

Mariano added that helicopter took off from Clark Air Base at around 8 p.m. for the exercise area.

Meanwhile, Philippine Air Force announced that the entire Black Hawk fleet has been grounded while the incident is being investigated. (ILKHA)