Accident Overview
An airplane operating a flight from Iloilo City to Manila collided with the slope of Mt Baco, located in the Occidental Mindoro province. The wreckage was discovered one week later on the east slope of the mountain at an elevation of 1,829 meters. All 33 occupants were killed in the crash.
Circumstances
At the time of the accident, the aircraft was flying in poor weather conditions, which included thunderstorm activity. The airplane was 51 kilometers off its intended route. Investigators noted that weather conditions were adverse, with poor visibility and a 25–35 knot crosswind emanating from the east.
Equipment and Navigation
The airborne navigational equipment was found to be unreliable due to either atmospheric disturbance, night and terrain effects, or possible malfunctioning. These factors, combined with the adverse weather, contributed to the navigational error that led to the accident.