A most unfortunate accident

Probably the most gut-wrenching that I have felt in a while, was when news came in that Sec. Jesse Robredo’s plane went down off the waters of Masbate. He was with three others, including his aide-de-camp who has since been found alive and recuperating from his injuries sustained from the crash. According to the reports pieced together from the narrations of June Abrazado, the plane was en route from Cebu to Naga City. The plane, a six-seater Piper Seneca, developed engine trouble around the island of Masbate. The pilot requested an immediate emergency landing, but never made it to the island. As of this writing, extensive search and rescue operations involving many agencies from government and even from the US are ongoing. Pieces of the ill-fated plane have been found, but still no sign of the three passengers.

Just recently, another small plane crashed into the waters off Davao City, but the pilot walked away from that one without any injuries. And now we have this crash, wherein an engine trouble was established as the reason why the pilot requested an emergency landing. I for one know that the commercial airline industry has a very good record, safety wise. But based on these two accidents, the same might not be said of the smaller aircraft.

I was told that it is the responsibility of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to oversee the safety certifications of all aircraft, especially those used available for chartered flights in the country. After so many hours of flying time by an aircraft, or even an engine, it has to undergo extensive inspection, even rebuilding, and then has to be certified airworthy by a qualified aviation specialist from the CAAP. Is this strictly being followed, or is it also prone to the attitude, mentality and practice that put lives in danger? A good example would be the maritime industry, where passenger ships have been allowed to sail overloaded, and even during rough seas and bad weather!

I have no doubt in my mind that the company chartered by Sec. Robredo maintain their aircraft very well, being one of the biggest in Cebu. I simply am asking if safety protocols imposed by the government are strictly followed. A car that breaks down will just stall. A ship that has engine trouble will just be dead on the water, hopefully in calm seas. But an airplane that develops engine trouble is just too dangerous. Safety checks and certifications on an airplane, be it private or chartered, cannot be overstressed. An aircraft has to be at the top of its performance at all times. Scenarios wherein an engine develops trouble during flight just poses a multitude of problems. It is unfortunate that we do not possess the capability to thoroughly investigate the causes of a crash, unlike the United States. It would offer an explanation as to why Sec. Robredo’s aircraft crashed, even if only one engine had problems. Technically, the plane could still safely fly with one engine. Perhaps there were other problems.

It is still my hope that they be found alive and well.