The wreckage of the Cessna plane that went missing after taking off from Bicol International Airport in Daraga, Albay on Feb. 18, 2023 scattered near the crater of Mayon Volcano according to authorities.
The Cessna RPC340 that was reportedly carrying 4 people was located along the gully of Mayon Volcano which is 50 meters from the volcano’s crater, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda said in a Facebook post.
Salceda posted photos of the ill-fated plane showing debris believed to be the cockpit and the tail of the aircraft.
As of late afternoon on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023, authorities had no information on the condition of the pilot, Capt. Rufino James Crisostomo Jr.; his mechanic, Joel Martin; and the 2 Australian passengers – Simon Chipperfield and Karthi Santhanam.
A report from Inquirer.net said that the Energy Development Corp. (EDC) released a statement saying that the 4 persons on board the ill-fated aircraft were connected with the company.
The report added that the EDC is closely coordinating with authorities. The company has also deployed its own emergency response teams from Albay. Leyte. Negros Oriental and Davao to assist in the search for possible survivors.
The EDC said that it already coordinated with the families of the 2 Australians. The Australians worked with the EDC as technical consultants.
Meanwhile, the search and rescue operations for the passengers of the Cessna plane will focus on the area of THE Mayon Volcano, Albay mayor Carlos Irwin Baldo said on Monday, Feb. 20, 2023.
The mayor said that the rescue teams will continue the operations until the bodies are found, as Baldo hopes that there are survivors.
The mayor said the weather is posing a challenge to the responders working in the search and rescue operations.
Heavy rains poured in the area of Mayon Volcano slowing down the search operations.