Flight 345 Crash: Loss of Control During Approach to Mactan (PI-C501)

Flight Details and Approach Sequence Flight 345 was a scheduled domestic service operating from Manila to Mactan. The aircraft departed Manila at 1720 hours under an IFR clearance direct to Mactan, via Amber 1 at flight level 130. At 1908 hours, the flight reported to Mactan Control Approach that it was descending through FL 70. It was subsequently cleared to FL 50, given an altimeter setting of 29.81 in Hg, and requested to report at FL 60. At 1909 hours, the flight requested a visual descent from FL 50 to 30. By 1913 hours, it reported commencing a VOR approach to runway 04. At 1917 hours, the flight reported on final approach, and Mactan Approach cleared it to land, providing a wind report of 330 degrees at 15 knots. The flight acknowledged this clearance, which was the last communication received from the aircraft. ## Accident Sequence While on a long final approach, commenced from a height of approximately 1,500 feet and 4 miles from the runway threshold, the aircraft suddenly assumed a nose-high attitude, and additional power was applied. A crew member then exited the cockpit and instructed a number of supernumerary crew traveling in the passenger compartment to move forward. Moments later, a flight attendant also came from the cockpit and instructed everybody to move forward. Before all passengers could comply, the aircraft started banking alternately to the right and left, descending in a tail-low attitude, and crashed at approximately 1918 hours, 0.9 miles before the threshold of runway 04. At 1919 hours, the aerodrome controller observed a fire near the approach end of runway 04 and alerted the emergency services. ## Casualties and Findings All four crew members and eight passengers were killed in the accident, while seven others survived. The Board determined that the probable cause of the accident was a loss of control at a low altitude. The contributory factor was the distribution of load, which placed the centre of gravity aft of the rear centre of gravity limit. Investigations found no evidence of malfunction or failure of the aircraft or its engines prior to impact. Evidence revealed that the aircraft struck the ground in a left wing low attitude with the landing gear extended and the flaps retracted. The elevator trim tab was found in a full nose-down position. The aircraft was loaded in such a way that the centre of gravity was located beyond the aft limit.