Update on the Cessna Search and Rescue (SAR) Operations in Bicol

The search and rescue (SAR) operations to reach the wreckage site of the Cessna 340 (Caravan) aircraft in Albay continue today with the SAR team rescuers from the Philippine Army (PA) and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) now travelling to the wreckage site on foot. The first team of responders are now estimated to be 300 meters from the wreckage site as of 03:00 PM.

The responders departed the Headquarters – Tactical Operations Group 5 (HTOG5) at 07:08 AM for the drop off point at Mayon Volcano, with MAJ Bobilles and 1LT Magday piloting the S-70i Black Hawk helicopter that dropped off the rescuers composing of 11 PA and 6 BFP personnel.

Investigators from the CAAP Aircraft Accident Investigation and Inquiry Board (AAIIB) confirmed yesterday that the wreckage captured by the SAR team surveying the area was that of the missing Cessna aircraft.

Once the wreckage site has been reached and the passengers are identified, they will be airlifted to an undisclosed area for further medical assessment.

The Cessna aircraft (registry number RP-C2080), which is owned by the Energy Development Corporation (EDC), went missing in Camalig, Albay on Saturday, 18 February 2023. The aircraft took off from Bicol International Airport (BIA) at 6:43 AM and was supposed to arrive in Manila at 7:53 AM. It was carrying a pilot, a crew, and two Australian passengers.

Per the AAIIB, Cessna (now Textron Aviation) aircraft has recorded 13 accidents, 10 incidents, and 11 serious incidents over the last four years (2019-2023). Accidents are occurrences in the operation of an aircraft in which either a person is fatally or seriously injured, the aircraft sustains damage or structural failure, and/or the aircraft is missing or is completely inaccessible. Further, incidents are occurrences, other than an accident, associated with the operation of an aircraft which affects or could affect the safety of operation. On the other hand, serious incidents are incidents involving circumstances that indicate that there was a high probability of an accident. (JERRY S. TAN)