Defense & Military
Peruvian Air Force Helicopter Crash Kills 15 in Arequipa Floods
A Peruvian Air Force Mi-17 helicopter crashed during flood relief in Arequipa, killing all 15 onboard amid severe weather and landslides.
This article summarizes reporting by BBC News and official statements from the Peruvian Air Force.
Fifteen people have died following the crash of a Peruvian Air Force (FAP) Helicopters in the southern Arequipa region, authorities confirmed on Monday. The Mi-17 aircraft, which was deployed to assist with humanitarian relief during severe flooding, lost radio contact on Sunday afternoon before being located the following morning.
According to reporting by BBC News, the wreckage was discovered in the Chala district. Officials stated that there were no survivors among the 15 occupants, a group that included four crew members and 11 passengers. The tragedy has compounded the devastation in a region already grappling with torrential rains, landslides, and overflowing rivers.
The Peruvian Air-Forces confirmed the loss in an official statement, noting that the aircraft was executing a support mission between the city of Pisco and Chala. The incident highlights the extreme risks facing emergency responders as they navigate the treacherous weather conditions currently battering southern Peru.
The Russian-made Mi-17 transport helicopter departed Pisco in the Ica region on Sunday, February 22, 2026, intending to reach Chala in Arequipa. Radio contact was lost at approximately 4:30 PM local time. Search and rescue teams, including Special Forces patrols, located the crash site near Chala Viejo on Monday morning, February 23.
Local media reports indicate that the flight was intended to bypass road blockages on the Pan-American Highway caused by landslides. The passenger list included military personnel and civilians, some of whom were reportedly relatives of the armed forces members on board.
Authorities have identified all 15 victims. The four crew members were identified as Major Sergio Danner Paucar Centurión (pilot), Second Lieutenant Luis Fernando Huertas Cárcamo, and Technicians Kamila Chapi Anchapuri Jove and Leiner Aguirre Huamán.
Among the 11 passengers, the loss of life included seven children ranging in age from 3 to 17 years old. Three civilian women and one military officer, Colonel Javier Nole Gonzales, were also killed. In a statement regarding the victims, the Air Force expressed its grief: “Our deepest condolences to the family members, friends, and the entire FAP family for the irreparable loss of our crew and passengers.”
, Peruvian Air Force (FAP) statement
The crash occurred against the backdrop of a severe environmental emergency. The Arequipa region has been inundated by torrential rains that have triggered huaicos (mudslides) and caused rivers to breach their banks. According to local authorities, the Chullo ravine overflowed, sending mud and debris through residential streets.
Beyond the helicopter crash, the storm system has claimed at least two other lives. Local media reported that an elderly woman was swept away by floodwaters in the Cayma district, and a man was struck by lightning in Uchumayo. Infrastructure damage is widespread, with estimates suggesting hundreds of homes have been affected, some rendered uninhabitable by mud ingress up to a meter high.
Regional Governor Rohel Sánchez has requested urgent assistance from the national government, citing that local response capabilities have been overwhelmed by the scale of the disaster.
Operational Risks in Andean Relief Missions The loss of the Mi-17 highlights the persistent dangers of conducting aerial operations in the Andean region during the rainy season. The Mi-17 is a workhorse of Latin American military aviation, prized for its high-altitude performance and ruggedness. However, the combination of mountainous terrain and rapidly changing microclimates, common during “huaico” season, creates a perilous operating environment even for experienced crews.
While the Investigation is ongoing, this incident underscores the heavy reliance on military airlift when ground infrastructure fails. With the Pan-American Highway blocked, air transport becomes the only lifeline, forcing aircraft to fly sorties in marginal weather windows. This tragedy may prompt a review of civilian transport protocols on military aircraft during active emergency declarations.
What caused the crash? An official investigation has been launched by the Peruvian Air Force’s Accident Investigation Board. No specific cause, such as mechanical failure or pilot error, has been determined yet, though the crash occurred during severe weather conditions.
Who were the civilians on board? The civilians included three women and seven children. Local media reports suggest they were relatives of military personnel being transported to avoid road blockages caused by the floods. What is the status of the flooding in Arequipa? The region remains in a state of emergency. Heavy rains have caused landslides and flooding, damaging hundreds of homes and claiming lives independent of the aviation Accident.
Tragedy Strikes Arequipa: 15 Dead in Military Helicopter Crash
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Severe Flooding Crisis in Arequipa
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Photo Credit: Air Forces Southern