Wreckage of Robredo plane now in Manila

The wreckage of the Piper Seneca plane that crashed off Masbate last month, killing Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo and two others, is now in Manila, the spokesman for the Philippine Coast Guard said Thursday.

Commander Armand Balilo said the wreckage arrived 2 p.m. at the Manila South Harbor. The Coast Guard ship BRP Corregidor brought the wreckage from Masbate.

Included in the wreckage are the fuselage, two wings, and the engines of the Piper Seneca together with Robredo’s personal belongings, Balilo said. These were found about 800 meters off Masbate City’s shoreline the week following the crash.

“The plane wreckage will be properly turned over to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines for investigation, Balilo said.

The plane was registered as RP- C4431 and was carrying Robredo, his aide-de-camp and two pilots to Naga City from Cebu when it crashed into the sea off Masbate on August 18. Only Robredo's aide survived. — RSJ, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

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