Accident Overview
On an unspecified date, a medevac aircraft operating from Dipolog Principal Airport (RPMG) to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (RPLL) experienced a loss of control in flight while approaching Manila. The aircraft crashed into a private resort in Barangay Pansol, Calamba, Laguna, Philippines. The wreckage was located at coordinates 14°10'33.62" N and 121°11'34" E, with a heading of approximately 228°, and most of the fuselage was totally burned.
Flight Details
The aircraft had departed Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte, on a medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) flight bound for Manila. It lost radar contact with Manila Approach after being cleared to descend from 9,000 feet to 5,000 feet, tracking radial 170, 25 DME to RPLL. Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed at the time of the accident.
Occupants and Casualties
All nine occupants of the aircraft were fatally injured. Additionally, two persons on the ground sustained serious injuries.
Official Probable Cause
The investigation determined that the aircraft experienced a loss of control in flight (LOC-I) after encountering adverse and hazardous atmospheric turbulent weather conditions, which led to an inflight breakup. The following contributing factors were identified:
- The presence of adverse and potentially hazardous atmospheric conditions on the route of the flight.
- Failure of the flight crew to maintain situational awareness.
- Breakdown of crew resource management (CRM) to apply appropriate emergency procedures to recover the aircraft from the unusual situation they encountered.