The Peruvian Air Force confirmed that a military helicopter carrying 15 people, including 7 children, crashed in southern Arequipa during a mission to aid flood victims, leaving no survivors.

The Peruvian Air Force (FAP, in Spanish) reported on Monday, February 23, the discovery of a military helicopter that had gone missing in the city of Pisco, in an accident occurred on Sunday in the Arequipa region, and the wreckage of the aircraft was found by search teams.

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According to the official statement issued by the military institution, “the aircraft was en route to carry out search and rescue missions, as well as providing support to the population affected by floods, overflows, and other disasters in the Arequipa region.”

Authorities confirmed 15 deaths on board. The crash involved 11 passengers and four crew members, occurring amidst a climate emergency affecting the South American country.

Among the victims are seven minors, a relevant detail released after the confirmation of the deaths of all occupants. The wreckage of the aircraft, identified as a Russian-made Mi-17, was found near the town of Chala Viejo, in the southern region of Arequipa.

According to preliminary investigations, the helicopter crashed on Sunday around 4:30 P.M. local time, at which point air traffic controllers lost contact with the crew. The flight was traveling from the city of Pisco, in the Ica region, to Chala, covering a distance of just over 300 kilometers from its point of departure.

Text reads: “Official Statement No. 002 – 2026”.

The Peruvian Air Force (FAP) released the identities of the four deceased crew members: Major Sergio Paucar Centurion, Second Lieutenant Luis Huertas Carcamo, First Sergeant Kamila Anchapuri Jove, and Second Sergeant Leiner Aguirre Huaman.

In its message, the High Command of the institution expressed its deepest condolences and full solidarity with the families of our valiant comrades-in-arms and the passengers who died in this tragic accident.

Text reads: “Our deepest condolences to family, friends and the entire FAP (Peruvian Air Force) family for the irreparable loss of our crew and passengers. “Airmen never die, they just fly higher.”

Intense Rains, Aggravating Factor

This Peruvian military helicopter accident occurred amidst a humanitarian crisis caused by the weather. Heavy rains in recent days in the southern Peruvian Andes have caused recurring floods in Arequipa.

The floods in Peru had already left at least three people dead before this air disaster. The highlands and the southern coast had suffered intense rains for several days, during which more than 400 homes were reported damaged. As a result, nearly 150 people were reported displaced and almost 500 homes were damaged.

Given this situation, the Air Force added that the Accident Investigation Board has been immediately activated to determine the exact causes of the incident. The institution continues to prioritize support for areas affected by natural disasters while it investigates the circumstances of the plane crash in the Arequipa region.

The confirmation of the fatalities marks a critical point in relief operations during the rainy season in southern Peru.

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