Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 10) – The passenger of the small aircraft that crashed in Isabela was found dead on Sunday, Governor Rodolfo Albano confirmed to CNN Philippines.
Albano said the passenger was found 200 meters away from the plane.
“Mukhang nung nag-encamp siya, sinubukan niya maglakad so nadulas siya kasi matarik ‘yung bundok, very steep ‘yung pinag-crash ng plane,” Albano said in an interview.
“Kung hindi siya umalis sa lugar niya, puwede na-save siya kaya lang five days na bago nakaabot ‘yung rescuers sa kanya,” he added.
[Translation: It appears that when the passenger encamped, they slipped since the mountain where the plane crashed was steep. If he did not leave the crash site, there is a chance the person might be saved, but it had been five days before the rescuers reached him.]
The pilot of the aircraft that went missing on Nov. 30 was found dead earlier this week.
The Piper PA-32-300 aircraft with tail number RP-C1234 went missing shortly after leaving Cauyan Airport in Isabela. It was bound for Palanan Airport, also in Isabela.
The cause of the crash remains unclear, but disaster officials previously said strong winds may have affected the plane’s flight.
