What happened
On the evening of the accident, Air Manila flight UM507 was operating a scheduled domestic service from Manila International Airport to Lapu-Lapu/Mactan International Airport. Prior to takeoff, the pilot received a weather briefing from the dispatcher regarding a cold front along the route and an en-route forecast indicating isolated thunderstorms over Eastern Visayas. The aircraft departed Manila at 1814 hours, cleared to fly at FL 130 via specific tracks. During the flight, the crew maintained regular communication with air traffic control.
At 1908 hours, the aircraft reported its position over Romblon while maintaining FL 130, with an estimated arrival time in Mactan of 1954 hours. This transmission served as the final contact from the flight. Shortly thereafter, witnesses in the coastal town of Ibajay, Aklan, reported hearing sounds consistent with a high-altitude aircraft traveling southeast. These observers described seeing several loud explosions and large fireballs descending into the ocean. One witness noted a large object resembling an airplane emerging from dense clouds before falling into the sea, followed by smaller fragments.
Following the event, two bodies were retrieved from the water approximately 2 km away from Bo. Colong-Colong, Ibajay. Due to the significant depth of the ocean in the vicinity, much of the wreckage and the remaining occupants could not be located.
Findings
Investigations into the destruction of the aircraft revealed that the plane disintegrated at high altitude while traveling at a high velocity. Analysis of the recovered debris showed no signs of fatigue, explosive devices, or combustible gas explosions. While the flight was approximately 10 NM to the right of its assigned airway, the crew had not reported any mechanical issues prior to the disappearance.
Investigators concluded that the in-flight structural failure was caused by aerodynamic loads exceeding the design limits of the airframe while the aircraft was navigating through a thunderstorm cell. Although other flights in the vicinity successfully diverted to avoid the weather, the flight encountered severe conditions that led to the loss of the aircraft.