Dramatic underwater footage of retrieval ops for Robredo plane

Dramatic underwater footage of retrieval operations for the plane that crashed in Masbate Bay on Saturday, killing DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo and two pilots, was made available on Wednesday.

The video shows at least three divers hovering around the fuselage of the plane, which was resting on the seabed upside down. They appear to be inspecting the plane. Later they secure harnesses to the fuselage, preparing it for lifting to the surface.

The body of Robredo was recovered on Tuesday, ahead of the retrieval operations for the plane.

As of Wednesday evening, the body of the plane's pilot, Jessup Bahinting, had also been recovered. Bahinting's Nepalese co-pilot, Kshitiz Chand, 22, was not in the fuselage.

As of posting, the fuselage had already been lifted nearer to the surface. It will eventually be turned over to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines for inspection and investigation.

source: interaksyon.com

Sunken plane off Masbate lifted to surface, Nepalese pilot not inside wreckage

MANILA, Philippines - The wingless Seneca Piper plane that sank 180 feet to the ocean floor off Masbate City had been lifted to the surface Wednesday night by a team of Navy men and other professional divers, who earlier retrieved the bodies of Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo and veteran pilot Jessup Bahinting.

But the remains of Bahinting's Nepalese co-pilot, Kshitiz Chand, 22, was not inside the wreckage, according to Department of Transportation and Communications Secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas II. [See related story: Young pilot with Robredo on ill-fated plane wanted to serve Nepal by joining its army]

The plane, with body number RP-34431, crashed off the city's Barangay Ibingay 800 meters from the shore on Saturday, August 18, due to engine problem.

Bahinting's remains were recovered earlier in the day, while Robredo's body was retrieved on Tuesday. Robredo's aide, Police Senior Supt. June Paolo Abrazado survived the crash.

article source: interaksyon.com

Deep-sea divers find debris, but no sign yet of Robredo, 2 others

MANILA, Philippines - Technical divers on Monday found debris, believed to be from the plane carrying Secretary Jesse Robredo,after scouring the waters off Masbate, but saw no sign of Robredo and two pilots who went missing after they crashed into the sea off Masbate province last Saturday.

Two days since Robredo and the two pilots went missing—his aide de camp was found alive-- authorities are continuing with their search and rescue operations for the Secretary, employing experts to look for any signs of the plane.

After several minutes of waiting, volunteer divers returned after scouring the waters and showed to Cabinet officials what appeared to be debris roughly 180 to 210 feet and 2.5 kilometers from the shore.

"Matt of Evolution Dives Cebu reports dispersed debris field 180-210 feet roughly 2.5 kilometers from the shore. Analyzing his video now to plan next dives," DoTC Secretary Mar Roxas tweeted at around 6 p.m.

A four-man team of Navy technical divers also returned confirming what was earlier discovered in the same area: debris. Roxas said "glass pieces of cockpit" were also found and marked. Divers were unable to find the DILG chief and the two missing pilots, however.

source: interaksyon.com

Search for Robredo goes wider, deeper

Authorities have expanded search for Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo and his two companions to nearby coastal areas in Bicol, Office of Civil Defense chief Benito Ramos said Monday.

Ramos said the Army's 9th Infantry Division is overseeing search in the areas of Burias Island in Masbate and nearby coastal towns of Matnog, Bulan, and Donsol in Sorgsogon and Pasacao in Camarines.

Ramos said it was possible that Robredo and the two pilots were swept by the strong current.

Divers are also scouring the waters of Masbate Bay for any sign of the missing plane.

Deeper search

American and Philippine deep-sea divers were scheduled to dive deeper, covering an area as wide as 16-square-kms, in the continuing search.

Deep-sea divers are set cover an area of 4-kilometers by 4-kilometers, employing nitrox (nitrogen oxygen) diving equipment, President Benigno Aquino III's official Twitter account said Monday.

The first dive was scheduled from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Nitrox diving maximizes bottom time and surface intervals in the search for any signs of the ill-fated Piper Seneca plane that carried the DILG Secretary. It will allow the divers to stay out longer and to dive deeper.

Transportation and Communications Secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas II said that as of 8:30 a.m., tanks and mixing equipment from Manila had arrived in Masbate City. Helium and pure oxygen also arrived in Masbate City from Cebu. "They'll mix, load tanks, then send off first deep dive team in about two hours." Roxas tweeted.

source: interaksyon.com