2026 Peruvian Air Force Mil Mi-17 crash
FAP-614, the Mil Mi-17 helicopter involved in the accident, seen in September 1994 | |
| Accident | |
|---|---|
| Date | 22 February 2026 |
| Summary | Crashed into terrain; under investigation |
| Site | |
| Aircraft | |
| Aircraft type | Mil Mi-17-1V Hip |
| Operator | Peruvian Air Force |
| Registration | FAP-614[1][2] |
| Flight origin | Capitán FAP Renán Elías Olivera Airport, Pisco, Peru |
| Destination | Chala Airport, Chala District, Peru |
| Occupants | 15 |
| Passengers | 11 |
| Crew | 4 |
| Fatalities | 15 |
| Survivors | 0 |
On 22 February 2026, a Mil Mi-17 operated by the Peruvian Air Force crashed into terrain during a flood rescue in Chala District, Department of Arequipa, Peru, killing all 15 occupants.
Background
Floods
The aircraft was operating on a search and rescue operation after heavy rainfall caused major flooding in Department of Arequipa and Department of Ica. Two people were killed, 5,500 homes were affected and many had to evacuate.[3] A nationwide state of emergency was declared.[4]
Aircraft
The aircraft involved in the accident was a Mil Mi-17 built in 1986 and operated by the Peruvian Air Force under the registation FAP-614.[5]
Passengers and crew
The aircraft was carrying eleven passengers and four crew members. The four crew members were Major Sergio Danner Paucar Centurión, First Lieutenant Luis Fernando Huertas Cárcamo, First Class Petty Officer Kamila Chapi Anchapuri Jove and Second Class Petty Officer Leiner Aguirre Huamán.[6] Among the eleven passengers were seven children aged between three and seventeen, three women, and a Peruvian Air Force colonel.[7]
Accident
The aircraft lost contact with air traffic control in the afternoon of 22 February near the city of Chala. It was expected to land at about 4:20 p.m. local time. Local residents said it was flying at a "fairly low altitude" over the La Caleta area during foggy conditions before crashing.[8] An intensive search and rescue operation was launched. The wreckage of the aircraft was discovered in a mountainous area a day after at about 6:30 p.m.[6][9] All 15 occupants were killed, however, a small dog belonging to the colonel survived the crash.[10]
Investigation
Officials said an investigation into the accident was launched.[11]
References
- ^ "Peruvian Air Force Press Conference". Facebook. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ "15 dead, 7 of them minors, in the accident of a Mi-17-1B helicopter of the Peruvian Air Force" (in Spanish). Grupo EDEFA S.A. 23 February 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ "Heavy rains, deadly floods hit southern Peru; thousands seek shelter". Al Jazeera. 28 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Video. Peru under state of emergency after El Niño floods hit Arequipa". Euronews. 26 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "15 killed in military helicopter crash in southern Peru". China Daily. 23 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ a b "Peruvian Air Force helicopter crash kills 15, including 7 minors". BNO News. 23 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Update: 15 killed in military helicopter crash in southern Peru". Xinhua News Agency. 24 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Helicóptero de la FAP es hallado en Arequipa y confirman 4 tripulantes y 11 pasajeros muertos" [Peruvian Air Force helicopter found in Arequipa; 4 crew members and 11 passengers confirmed dead] (in Spanish). La República. 23 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "17 dead in Peru floods and mudslides, including 15 killed in rescue helicopter crash". AnewZ TV. 24 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Peru helicopter crash: Small dog survives, 15 people killed". Cebu Daily News. 25 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Fifteen killed after helicopter crashes during Peru flood rescue". BBC News. 23 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.