Bulacan flight school’s Cessna fleet grounded after plane crash

All Cessna 152 model airplanes owned by the Fliteline Flying School were ordered grounded by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) pending its investigation on Tuesday's crash in Bulacan province involving one of the school's aircraft.

CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio clarified in a phone interview that this was the only aircraft model among Fliteline's fleet that is covered by the order.

"Only Fliteline's Cessna 152 airplanes were suspended because it is the same model as the plane that crashed in Bulacan. Standard procedure ito," Apolonio told GMA News Online.

He added that it would take at least a week for CAAP to determine the real causes behind the crash of the trainer aircraft a few hundred meters away from an airport in Brgy. Lalangan in Plaridel, Bulacan, on Tuesday afternoon.

"Wala pa. Chini-check 'yung engines and records ng flight. Kailangang isa-isahin 'yung history ng aircrafts and pilots," Apolonio said.

According to a News TV Live report on Wednesday, CAAP Deputy Director General Rodante Joya signed the temporary suspension after CAAP was able to confirm that the ill-fated aircraft was owned by the flying school.

It said the suspension will take effect immediately and will last until CAAP finishes its investigation.

A separate report on "Balitanghali" said CAAP will determine if the crash was caused by mechanical failure or human error.

The Cessna 152 was piloted by Capt. Arthur Rebollido and James Philip Oquialda, who were conducting touch-and-go exercises at the time of the incident.

Witnesses said the plane dropped shortly after taking off from runway 35 of the Plairdel Airport into an empty lot near a cockpit just outside the airport.

Though residents immediately aided the pilots, Rebollido was pronounced dead on arrival and Oquialda died after being rushed to the Our Lady of Mercy Hospital in Pulilan. —KBK, GMA News