Accident Overview
The flight, operated by Energy Development Corporation (EDC), was bound for Manila with one pilot, one aircraft mechanic, and two passengers on board. The aircraft departed from Bicol International Airport (RPLK) in Daraga, Albay on a routine general aviation flight. All four occupants were killed in the accident.
Flight Plan and Departure
The pilot submitted a flight plan from visual flight rules (VFR) to instrument flight rules (IFR), intending to use standard departure on runway 05. The plan included intercepting the NAGA VOR, continuing via the W9 airway, and proceeding to ALABAT for the arrival procedure into Manila. After departure from runway 05, the aircraft made a procedural right upwind turn and crossed the final approach of runway 05.
Communication and Disappearance
At 0647 local time, air traffic control (ATC) established contact with the aircraft while it was passing 2,600 feet. ATC asked if the flight had passed Camalig by-pass, and the pilot responded affirmatively. The pilot was instructed to continue climbing and report when 20 nautical miles from RPLK, which was acknowledged. At 0650 local time, no position report was received. ATC initiated multiple attempts to contact the aircraft but received no response. The duty ATC contacted Manila Area Control Center (MACC), which reported an initial radar signature that later disappeared.
At about 0900 local time, the Philippine Aeronautical Rescue Coordinating Center (PARCC) elevated the alert to DETRESFA (distress phase) for the missing aircraft.
Search and Location
On February 19, 2023, the operator launched a search using an AW139 helicopter, which located the missing aircraft at approximately 6,300 feet on the southwest slope of Mount Mayon Volcano at coordinates 13°14'56.45 N and 123°40'57.79 E. An aerial reconnaissance by CAAP-AAIIB investigators and EDC using a helicopter was conducted on February 20, 2023. The general impact area showed scattered wreckage and signs of post-impact fire.
Probable Cause
The pilot failed to follow the flight plan and made an unauthorized deviation. The pilot's lack of situational awareness was considered as a contributing factor.