Two rescued after Cessna suffers engine trouble off El Nido

The Philippine Coast Guard on Friday rescued a pilot and an aircraft mechanic after their Cessna plane suffered engine trouble and "crashed" in waters off El Nido in Palawan.

Based on the PCG report on the "plane crash incident", the private plane left San Vicente Airport in Palawan at 1:06 p.m. en route to Sangley Point Airport in Cavite.

Aside from the two passengers, the plane was carrying 25 boxes of live fish as cargo.

The aircraft RPC979, Cessna 206 type private plane owned by Aerohub, crashed off Barangay Tiniguiban, Palawan due to engine trouble at 1:53 p.m.

The Coast Guard District Palawan immediately conducted a search and rescue (SAR) team that spotted the distressed aircraft floating near Duli Beach in El Nido, Palawan at around 03:50 p.m.

According to the PCG, the first responders were fishermen around the area, however, failed to rescue the two pilots due to big waves.

The PCG said the pilot and the mechanic were safely rescued and underway to Coast Guard Station El Nido for further assistance as of 4:24 p.m. -NB, GMA News