According to the Philippines Information Agency (PIA), wreckage appearing to belong to the twin piston engine Cessna 340 has been sighted on Mount Mayon in the countries Albay province.
The aircraft had departed on Saturday morning bound for Manila; however, all radio contact was lost with the aircraft shortly afterwards. According to the report of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), the Cessna had departed Bicol International Airport at 6:43 AM bound to Metro Manila. The last radio contact was made around 6:48AM, after which there was no further response. This was last recorded by CAAP Bicol tower at an altitude of 2600 ft in Camalig Cement Plant in Anoling, Camalig Albay.
According to the Australian national broadcaster ABC News, two of the men aboard the six-seater twin-engine aircraft were Australian residents. The Australian pair were said to be former employees of the Australian gas producer Santos. Also aboard were the aircraft pilot and one other crew member. Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) was made aware of the situation.
The Philippines Information Agency has made the following statements on their social media channel:
“Video and photo footage was captured on Sunday, around 2:00 PM in the afternoon of the almost crushed part of an aircraft in the upper part of Anoling Gulley, which is 350 meters from the crater of the volcano and an altitude of 1,600 feet.”
“Its passengers have still not been found. In Barangay Anoling, the cellphone signal of one of the passengers was detected around 10:00 PM on Saturday.”
According to the PIA, 162 personnel are currently deployed in the search and rescue operation. There are 108 on standby and 23 in the Emergency Operations Center.
Aside from the local responders, other national government agencies have also sent more help to intensify and expand the ongoing search and rescue operations.
Aircraft Information:
Owner / Operator: Energy Development Corporation
Aircraft: Cessna 340A
Aircraft: Cessna 340A
Registration: RP-C2080
Serial Number: 340A-0917
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