US Air Force Plane Swerves Into a Concrete Barrier While Practicing Takeoff From a Road in Pangasinan — All 5 Aboard Injured
A U.S. Air Force transport aircraft carrying five American military personnel crashed into a concrete barrier while attempting to take off from a road in Laoac, Pangasinan — injuring everyone on board during what was supposed to be a routine contingency training exercise.
The incident happened Tuesday afternoon on a concrete bypass road being used as an 'alternate landing zone.' The plane managed to land successfully during the supervised drill, pero swerved during takeoff and slammed into the barrier. Three personnel, including the pilot, were rushed to a hospital, while two others were treated on-site.
Philippine officials speaking on condition of anonymity told the Associated Press that the training was fully coordinated with Filipino civilian, police, and military authorities. The exercise was designed to prepare forces for scenarios where regular airports and runways become inaccessible — like during typhoons and earthquakes.
The training falls under the 1999 Visiting Forces Agreement that allows U.S. forces to conduct joint exercises with Filipino counterparts. In recent years, these drills have expanded significantly as part of broader defense cooperation, particularly focused on defending Philippine territorial interests in the South China Sea.
The cause of the accident is under investigation. The incident comes amid heightened U.S.-Philippines military cooperation in the region, with China continuing to assert its expansive claims in the disputed waters west of Pangasinan. The U.S. has repeatedly warned it would defend the Philippines under their mutual defense treaty if Filipino forces come under armed attack.
Source: NBC News / AP
