El Nido, Palawan (Photo courtesy of ph.hotels.com)
MANILA – A Cessna aircraft with registry number RP-C979 crashed in El Nido, Palawan on Friday, according to a Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) report.
The crash happened west northwest of Barangay Tiniguiban off Duli beach.
The pilot, Capt. Jason Evasco, and a female mechanic, Angele Ranario, were rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). They were transporting 25 boxes of live fish.
"The first responders were fishermen around the area, but due to big waves, the fishermen were unable to rescue the persons on board," the CAAP said.
The aircraft left San Vicente Airport at 1:06 p.m. en route to Sangley Airport in Cavite City, but forced landed due to engine failure.
The PCG report said Capt. Angel Viliran, Palawan district commander, deployed a search and rescue team and spotted the aircraft, reportedly a Cessna U206 Skywagon, at around 3:50 p.m.
At around 4:24 p.m. Evasco, 39, and Ranario, 27, were rescued.
The PCG gathered that while crossing at about 6500 to 7500 feet above sea level at the vicinity of Sitio Dagmay in Barangay Tiniguiban, an “engine out” occurred.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation and Inquiry Board will help determine the cause of the accident, the CAAP said. (PNA)
