A U.S. intelligence aircraft crashed Thursday in the southern Philippines, killing one U.S. service member and three defense contractors, officials with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said.

U.S. officials said the crash occurred during a “routine mission” in support of U.S.-Philippine security cooperation activities. The aircraft was identified by Philippine authorities as a Beechcraft Super King Air 300. 

“The aircraft was providing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support at the request of our Philippine allies,” U.S. officials said. “We can confirm there were no survivors of the crash.”

According to FAA records, the twin-engine plane is owned by Metrea Special Aerospace ISR in Bethany, Oklahoma.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing the propeller-driven aircraft flying low over Ampatuan, a town on the island of Mindanao in the southern region of the Philippine archipelago. It appeared to be surveying the area when it suddenly nose-dived into an open field, according to the state-owned Philippine News Agency.

“The cause of the crash is currently under investigation and we have no further details to release at this time,” U.S. Indo-Pacific Command officials said. “The names of the crew are being withheld pending next-of-kin notification.”

U.S. troops have been deployed to the southern Philippines for decades to help local officials battle militants linked to the Islamic State that remain active in Mindanao.

• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.