Cessna plane that crashed 5 years ago found in Gingoog City

CAMP EVANGELISTA, Cagayan de Oro – A Cessna plane that crashed five years ago was found by lumads in Mt. Balatucan, some 30 kilometers northeast of Gingoog City, along with the skeletal remains of the pilot.

The lumads, accompanying surveyors of the boundaries of Gingoog City, Claveria and Balingasag towns, all in Misamis Oriental, discovered the skeletal remains of the plane’s pilot before the May 10 elections but have not touched it pending examination of the human skeleton by authorities.

The identification card of the pilot showed that he was Capt. Elmer Quezon.

The airplane’s engine was also discovered 200 meters away from the skeletal remains by a lumad, who hails from Barangay Samay, Balingasag town in Misamis Oriental.

The Cessna was believed to have crashed on Feb. 1, 1999. The plane was reportedly flying from Butuan City and headed towards Lumbia Airport for refueling when the accident occured.

On Feb. 2, 1998, a Cebu Pacific Airlines plane carrying more than 100 passengers bound for Cagayan de Oro City also crashed in almost the same area the Cessna plane was found.

The pilot of the Cebu Pacific plane reportedly did not notice the plane’s altitude when it hit Mt. Sumagaya. The area is believed to be "enchanted" according to local residents. — Ben Serrano