The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has confirmed that a US military-contracted aircraft which crashed in Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur, on Tuesday afternoon was conducting an aerial survey mission. The crash resulted in the deaths of all four people on board. The aircraft was confirmed as belonging to Metrea, a US-based aerospace company.
Metrea issued a press release on Thursday confirming the accident, identifying the aircraft as a Beechcraft King Air 350 (identified in previous reports and by CAAP as a King Air 300; the two models are very similar) and stating that there were no survivors. One of the four individuals on board was a US service member.
“The families of our crew have been informed and we’re providing full support,” Metrea stated, adding that they are cooperating with authorities to determine the cause.
In a press release issued on Friday, CAAP stated the aircraft departed from Cebu and was en route to Cotabato City when it crashed in Barangay Malatimon, Ampatuan. CAAP confirmed the flight was “part of a routine mission in support of US-Philippine security cooperation activities.”
The US Embassy in Manila had previously confirmed the aircraft was under US military contract.
The aircraft, registration number N349CA, is registered to Metrea Special Aerospace ISR Inc. It was visibly equipped for specialized missions, with apparent sensor pods or antennas.
Ameer Jehad Ambolodto, the provincial disaster risk reduction and management officer, confirmed the recovery of four bodies, described as “Caucasians.”
Local residents reported seeing the aircraft circling before hearing a loud thud. A water buffalo was also killed.
Brig. Gen. Romeo Juan Macapaz, regional police director, confirmed local police secured the crash site.
What was the plane doing? What was its mission?