Two dead as air cargo plane crashes in Philippines

Two pilots were killed after an air cargo plane crashed outside the perimeter of Busuanga Airport in Barangay Decalachao in Coron, Palawan, on Thursday morning, according to the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group (PNP-ASG), as cited by Philippine media.

In a statement, the PNP-ASG said the incident involved a Volpar BE18 cargo aircraft, which went down at around 11:00 a.m. on April 2.

Preliminary findings indicate that the plane had arrived from Sangley Airport to pick up live fish cargo and was preparing to return to Sangley after takeoff when it suddenly crashed and exploded.

Search and retrieval operations were launched, and the bodies of the pilot and co-pilot were recovered at approximately 3:00 p.m.

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

Airport operations at Busuanga were temporarily suspended following the crash but resumed later the same day.

By Tamilla Hasanova