2 pilots killed in air cargo plane crash in Coron, Palawan

Two pilots were killed after the air cargo plane they were flying crashed outside the perimeter of the Busuanga Airport in Barangay Decalacho in Coron, Palawan on Thursday morning, the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group (PNP-ASG) said. 

In a statement, the PNP-ASG said the incident involved a Volpar BE18 air cargo plane, which crashed at around 11 a.m. of April 2.

“Initial investigation revealed that the aircraft had arrived from Sangley Airport to pick up live fish products and was bound to return to Sangley upon takeoff when it suddenly crashed and exploded,” the PNP-ASG said.

The bodies of the pilot and co-pilot were recovered at around 3 p.m. during a search and retrieval operation.

“The remains were subsequently transported to 5R Funeral Services in Coron, Palawan and will be subjected to proper identification,” the PNP-ASG added. 

The Busuanga Airport’s runway operations were temporarily suspended after the crash and resumed later in the day. — JMA, GMA News