Thu Feb 06 16:35:38 UTC 2025: ## U.S. Military-Contracted Plane Crashes in Philippines, Killing Four
**Manila, Philippines –** A U.S. military-contracted light plane crashed in a rice field in Maguindanao del Sur province, southern Philippines, on Thursday, February 6, 2025, killing all four individuals on board. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines confirmed the crash, while U.S. Embassy spokesperson Kanishka Gangopadhyay stated that the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command would release a more detailed statement.
Local officials reported recovering the bodies of four apparent foreign nationals from the wreckage in Ampatuan town. A provincial disaster-mitigation officer, Windy Beaty, indicated that witnesses saw smoke and heard an explosion before the plane fell less than a kilometer from nearby homes. No ground injuries were reported, though a water buffalo was killed. The crash site has been secured by troops.
U.S. military personnel have a long-standing presence in the southern Philippines, providing training and support to Filipino forces combating Muslim militants in the region. The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.
First Piper 