ATO starts probe into Plaridel plane crash

MANILA, Philippines - The Air Transportation Office is set to question the head of a local flying school that owns the Cessna plane that crashed in Plaridel, Bulacan, killing a flight instructor and a student, GMA's Flash Report said Sunday. The television report said ATO would start its probe into the crash by studying the transcript of the Air Traffic Control in Plaridel because the ill-fated aircraft does not have a black box. ATO investigators would also interview witnesses to have a clearer picture of the tragedy. Some 150 Cessna planes of Flightline Aviation were ordered grounded by ATO after the crash Saturday morning. On the same day, the ATO suspended the operation of the flying school. The fatalities were Mike Bernardo, the flight instructor, and student Tausik Muhan, an Indian national. The Cessna plane, with registration number PRC 1123, crashed in Agnaya village in Plaridel, Bulacan around 10:30 a.m. Saturday. The aircraft nearly hit a house. - GMANews.TV