Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 6) — Rescuers may arrive by Thursday at the crash site of the Piper aircraft that went missing last Nov. 30 and which was spotted in Isabela, the province’s disaster management office said on Wednesday.
An initial 11 responders were dropped off via a Philippine Air Force (PAF) helicopter on Wednesday noon at a landing zone near the foot of the mountain where the plane was sighted, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) reported.
The aircraft was carrying two people when it went missing shortly after leaving Cauayan Airport in Isabela.
Isabela PDRRMO head Atty. Constante Foronda Jr. said the responders deployed included two from the PAF, four from the PDRRMO, and five from the Bureau of Fire Protection-Special Response Unit.
“Said rescuers may reach the plane by tomorrow,” Foronda said. “Other rescue groups are still on their way to the crash site. We expect no other developments until tomorrow.”
Authorities earlier reported that the Piper “appears intact” and that “there is good chance of the occupants’ survival.”
They also suspected that strong winds may have affected the plane’s flight.
