Private plane crashes in Laoag

A private passenger plane for charter services about to take off from the Laoag International Airport yesterday ditched at the side of the runway after its engines malfunctioned.

No one was hurt according to Eduardo Robles, Air Transportation Office (ATO) area manager based in Laoag. In a telephone interview, he identified the crew as Capt. Orlando Cabellana, Capt. Hercules Erespo, Capt. Fely Gilo, mechanic Richie Diaz and caretaker Noel Sampayan.

The plane, which flies charters from Laoag to Basco, Batanes, is owned by Chemtrad Aviation Corporation, a company involved in general aviation or charter services.

Robles said that the plane, an Islander nine-seater twin-engine plane with tail number RP-C1262, had brake failure based on the ATO’s initial findings.

Robles said that around 9:05 a.m., the plane was taxiing at Runway 01 of Laoag International Airport.

The plane’s brake failed and it swerved at the west side, south end of the runway, hitting the perimeter fence and falling off the side, at the shoulder, where a ditch was located about six meters deep.

The plane crashed there damaging the plane’s right wing and landing gear.

Airport personnel closed the runway, but opened it at around 10 a.m. — Sandy Araneta, Teddy Molina