What happened
During a morning search and rescue operation, a Lockheed HC-130H Hercules belonging to the USAF departed from Clark Air Force Base in Angeles City. The mission was initiated following the sinking of the Japanese vessel Shoka Maru, which had gone down in the Bashi Canal while traveling from Japan toward Cambodia.
While performing low-altitude maneuvers near the Batanes Islands, the aircraft made contact with the crest of a wave, leading to a crash into the ocean. The accident resulted in 13 fatalities among the occupants, though one passenger was successfully rescued from the wreckage.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified that the crew was operating at an insufficient altitude during the flight. This low-level operation occurred amidst heavy sea conditions characterized by rough waters and hollow waves measuring between 6 and 10 meters.