What happened
During a flight at 8,000 feet, a four-engine aircraft struck the side of Mt Tabeyoc, which reaches an elevation of 9,322 feet. The impact occurred approximately 150 km north of Clark AFB. At the time of the accident, the area was experiencing low visibility due to cloud cover, making it difficult for the crew to identify the terrain ahead.
The wreckage of the aircraft was located in a remote area two days after the event. There were 38 fatalities among the occupants, with no survivors reported from the crash site.
Findings
Investigations into the accident determined that the aircraft was operating under instrument flight rules at the time of the collision. No mechanical issues or malfunctions were identified on the aircraft prior to the impact. The investigation concluded that the primary cause was controlled flight into terrain.