3 dead as light plane crashes in Isabela

CAMP ADDURU, Tuguegarao City — A civilian eight-seater light plane slammed into a hillside in bad weather in Isabela last Saturday, killing all three people on board, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) said.

The plane encountered rain, strong winds and low clouds after taking off from Maconacon, a logging town, at about 12:08 p.m. and crashed about three kilometers from an airstrip where it took off, said Maj. Restituto Padilla, PAF spokesman.

Those who died in the crash were the two pilots and a flight mechanic. They were identified as Lamberto Melo, co-pilot Melvin Regis and flight mechanic Mario Valdez.

The plane is owned by Chemtrad Airways, a local charter company servicing logging companies in Isabela, Padilla said.

The plane was en route to Palanan town, Padilla said.

A PAF helicopter attempted to fly to the area to retrieve the bodies but aborted the mission because of bad weather and poor visibility, Padilla said.

Rescue personnel from the Army’s 5th Infantry Division were dispatched to retrieve the bodies and bring them to Tuguegarao, Cagayan. — With Christina Mendez and AP