What happened
On the afternoon of the accident, an aircraft departed from Malabang at 15:40 local time. The flight was operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) during a period of favorable weather. While traversing the area above Lanao Lake at an altitude of 2,300 feet, the meteorological conditions began to deteriorate. Despite the declining visibility, the captain elected to proceed with the flight under VFR protocols.
As the aircraft approached Marawi, it encountered significantly reduced visibility. During this phase of flight, the plane collided with a mountain slope, resulting in the total disintegration of the airframe upon impact. The accident resulted in 31 fatalities and one survivor.
Findings
Investigations into the crash identified several contributing elements related to both pilot decision-making and environmental factors. A primary factor was the decision by the pilot to maintain VFR operations despite the weather conditions at the destination and along the route falling below required minimums. The aircraft was being operated at a low altitude over mountainous terrain while effectively encountering instrument meteorological conditions.
Environmental contributors included heavy rain, a low cloud ceiling, and limited visibility. Additionally, the presence of atmospheric turbulence, specifically updrafts and downdrafts common in mountainous regions, played a role in the accident.