History of Flight
On March 28, 2025, at approximately 1416H local time, a Textron Aviation/C152 aircraft, registration RP-C896, operated by Fliteline Aviation School Inc., sustained substantial damage during a forced landing. The aircraft had departed Plaridel Airport at 1325H for a routine flight instructor training flight. On board were a Flight Instructor (FI) and a Flight Instructor Trainee (FIT). The FIT was at the controls. The flight proceeded normally until the aircraft, at 1,500 feet AGL and 10 NM south of Plaridel Community Airport (RPUX), experienced unusual vibrations and a smell of burning oil. The FI took control and decided to return to RPUX, requesting priority landing. The FI increased power to climb to 2,000 feet AGL, but vibrations intensified and engine pressure dropped. Approximately half a mile from RPUX, oil pressure fell to zero and the engine seized. Two restart attempts failed. The FI declared an emergency (transponder 7700) and executed a forced landing into a harvested rice field. The aircraft touched down about 770 meters from the threshold of Runway 17, rolled approximately 25 meters, struck a residential communication wire and an embankment, and overturned. It came to rest at coordinates 14°52'58"N, 120°50'52.27"E on a heading of 140°. A training flight plan had been filed, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.
Injuries
Both occupants—the FI and the FIT—sustained minor injuries. They exited the aircraft unassisted and were taken to a hospital for evaluation. No other injuries were reported.
Aircraft Damage
The aircraft suffered substantial damage, including to the right wing, nose landing gear, fuselage, upper and lower engine cowlings, and propeller. Additional damage resulted from collision with a communication wire.
Personnel Information
The FI, a male born 14 February 1975, held a Commercial Pilot License with Flight Instructor rating, valid through 31 October 2026. He had a Class 1 medical certificate and logged approximately 9,400 total flight hours, with 6,000 on the C152.
The FIT, a male born 23 July 1998, held a Commercial Pilot License valid through 22 August 2028, with a Class 1 medical. He had 63 hours and 6 minutes total flight time, with 212 hours and 38 minutes on the C152.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a Textron Aviation Cessna 152, serial number 15285438, manufactured in 1982. It was registered as RP-C896 and operated by Fliteline Aviation School Inc. The Certificate of Airworthiness was valid until 24 February 2026, and the Certificate of Registration until 1 September 2029. The airframe had accumulated 24,166 hours and 58 minutes total time.
The engine was a Lycoming O-235-L2C piston engine, serial number L-13296-15, with 5,797 hours and 44 minutes since new and 1,157 hours and 34 minutes since overhaul. The propeller was a Sensenich fixed-pitch two-blade model 72CKS6-0-54, serial number K8431, with 4,825 hours and 4 minutes since new.
Meteorological Information
Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the occurrence.
Probable Cause
The Aircraft Accident Investigation and Inquiry Board determined the probable cause to be the failure of the engine crankcase through-stud bolts, leading to a loss of engine power.