Aircraft and Crew
The aircraft involved was a Fokker F27 Friendship, manufactured in 1960, with nearly 16,000 flight hours and over 10,000 flight cycles. Its airworthiness certificate was valid until April 1967. Maintenance records from the six months prior to the accident showed that the aircraft was replaced on 72 scheduled flights due to deficiencies, some recurring. The rate of climb indicator was replaced 17 times, the airspeed indicator 16 times, and vibrations were reported 12 times. The investigation noted that these issues did not contribute to the crash.
The captain, aged 35, held an airline pilot license valid until April 15, 1967, with ratings for the F-27 and DC-3. His medical record showed no waiver or limitation. He had never been involved in an incident or accident and had approximately 8,000 flight hours, including 1,180 hours in the F-27. The co-pilot, aged 24, held a commercial pilot license valid until April 19, 1967, with ratings for civilian aircraft including the F-27 and DC-3. His medical record also showed no waiver or limitation, and he had approximately 1,758 flight hours, including 1,116 hours in the F-27.
Accident
Flight 345 departed Manila at 17:20 PHT on an IFR clearance to Mactan via the "Amber I" airway at 13,000 feet. At 19:08, the pilots reported descending through 6,000 feet and requested a visual descent to 3,000 feet. Five minutes later, they reported beginning a VOR approach to Runway 04. At 19:17, Mactan Approach gave clearance to land; this was the last communication from the aircraft.
Approximately 4 miles from the runway threshold at 1,500 feet, the aircraft suddenly pitched upward into a nose-high attitude, and full throttle was applied. A crew member left the cockpit and instructed some passengers to move forward to equalize load distribution. Moments later, another crew member instructed all occupants to move forward, but before this was completed, the aircraft began banking left and right before descending in a tail-low attitude.
The left wing struck a coconut tree and banana trees, then the wingtip struck the ground for about 10 feet, followed by the left propeller striking the ground and separating. The aircraft nosed over, slid on its back, caught fire, and the fuselage was destroyed. Emergency services and fire engines arrived 25 minutes after the crash.
The wreckage was scattered over an area 80 feet in diameter. Evidence showed no prior damage contributing to the crash, the flaps were retracted, and the elevator trim tab was found in the full nose-down position.
Cause
The crew were properly certified, and the aircraft was regularly maintained. Weather conditions were fine at the time of the crash, and no findings of malfunction of the engines or aircraft prior to impact were found. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Board labeled the probable cause as a loss of control at low altitude, with a contributing factor being the improper distribution of load, which placed the center of gravity aft of the rear center of gravity limit.