Committee examining Piper Seneca engine to determine cause of Masbate crash

The five-man Special Investigation Committee formed by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is now examining the starboard (right side) plane engine of the Piper Seneca which crashed killing DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo.

CAAP director general William Hotchkiss III said the Committee’s Airframe/Structure Special Group would assist the investigation team in its inspection of the engine.

The Philippine Coast Guard recovered the engine from the crash site last Tuesday. The engine is now under tight security at the Masbate airport.

“We believe the plane engine will be key part of our investigation. This will determine if indeed it was due to technical or mechanical problem that caused it to fail,” Hotchkiss said.

CAAP is also reconstructing the flight path of the ill-fated plane including communication between control towers and the pilot. The authority has also taken statements from key witnesses and will issue subpoenas for others.

According to Atty. Nic Conti, DOTC spokesperson, the Special Investigation Committee, which is composed of personalities coming from the aviation industry with proven track records in the field of aviation safety, will submit periodic reports in the course of the investigation. — DVM, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com