Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 21) — The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) confirmed on Tuesday that the wreckage near Mayon Volcano’s crater is the missing Cessna aircraft in Albay.
After several attempts to reach the crash site amid weather disturbances, the CAAP Aircraft Accident Investigation and Inquiry Board (AAIIB), that is part of the search and rescue (SAR) operations for the search of the Cessna 340 (Caravan) aircraft (RP-C2080), has positively identified the aircraft’s wreckage,” CAAP said in a statement.The agency said it assessed the wreckage site using a high-definition camera. It was located at an elevation of 3,500 to 4,000 feet on the west side slope of Mayon.The Cessna plane reported missing on Saturday carried pilot Capt. Rufino James T. Crisostomo Jr., crew Joel G. Martin, and two Australian passengers, Simon Chipperfield and Karthi Santana, technical consultants of local geothermal firm Energy Development Corporation (EDC).CAAP said their conditions remain unknown as search and rescue teams have yet to reach the site due to bad weather.
Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Hae Kyong Yu earlier said the embassy is in contact with local authorities and providing consular assistance to the families of the two Australians.
Local authorities had to obtain permission from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology to begin search and rescue operations due to risks posed by the volcano, which is under Alert Level 2 or moderate unrest.
The site was also found to be within the “permanent danger zone” and a “no-fly zone” of the volcano, CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio previously said.
Aviation authorities said operations were hindered by heavy rains and intensified winds, with an air force helicopter and navy aircraft deployed to assist.
They said the Cessna aircraft, which EDC operates, is compliant with CAAP’s airworthiness certification.
