Palawan | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The twin engine aircraft departed Coron-Francisco B. Reyes Airport on a cargo flight to Manila, carrying two pilots and a load consisting of 700 kilos of fish. While climbing in poor weather conditions, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Tagbao located 9 km from the airport. The wreckage was found a day later and both pilots were killed.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain after the crew apparently suffered a spatial disorientation while climbing in limited visibility due to low ceiling and heavy rain falls.

Crash of a GAF Nomad N.22C off Cagayancillo: 14 killed

Date & Time: Jul 2, 2000 at 1050 LT

Type of aircraft:

GAF Nomad N.22

Operator:

Registration:

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Cagayancillo – Puerto Princesa

MSN:

YOM:

1979

Location:

Country:

Region:

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Circumstances:

Few minutes after takeoff from Cagayancillo Airport, the pilot reported engine problems and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. On final approach, the aircraft was not properly aligned so the captain increased engine power and initiated a go-around. The aircraft lost height and crashed in the sea about 2 km offshore. A passenger was rescued while 14 other occupants were killed, among them General Santiago Madrid, Chief of the southwestern military command.

Probable cause:

Engine failure for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-21 Islander off Coron: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 9, 1999

Type of aircraft:

Britten-Norman Islander

Operator:

Registration:

RP-C471

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

473

YOM:

1975

Location:

Coron-Francisco B. Reyes

Palawan

Country:

Philippines

Region:

Asia

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Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances in the sea off Coron. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-B80 Queen Air in Coron: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 17, 1993 at 1200 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft 80 Queen Air

Operator:

Registration:

RP-C2446

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Coron - Manila

MSN:

LD-437

YOM:

1970

Location:

Coron-Francisco B. Reyes

Palawan

Country:

Philippines

Region:

Asia

Crew on board:

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Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Coron-Francisco B. Reyes Airport, while climbing in poor weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft went out of control and crashed. Both occupants were killed. The aircraft was on its way to Maila, carrying a load of lobsters and crabs.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3 off Palawan

Date & Time: Oct 14, 1967

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-3

Operator:

Aguinaldo Development

Registration:

PI-C648

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Location:

Palawan

Country:

Philippines

Region:

Asia

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea off Palawan. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Martin PBM-5 Mariner Flying Boat on Mindoro Island: 11 killed

Date & Time: Jul 28, 1946

Type of aircraft:

Martin PBM Mariner

Operator:

Registration:

84734

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

MSN:

84734

Location:

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Circumstances:

While cruising in poor weather conditions, the seaplane hit the slope of a mountain on Mindoro Island, killing all 11 crew members.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-1-DL on Mindoro Island: 12 killed

Date & Time: Nov 25, 1945

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

43-16332

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

MSN:

20798

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

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Circumstances:

Lost without trace over the Mindoro Island, while completing a flight within the Philippines. No trace of the aircraft nor the 12 crew members was ever found.
Crew:
Sgt Patrick Callahan,
Cpl Carl Deegan,
2nd Lt William L. Friedrich,
T/Sgt Walter Gawencki,
1st Lt Daniel L. Halperin,
Sgt Marion C. Osborn,
Cpt Robert G. Porter,
2nd Lt Pearlie W. Prather,
F/O L. C. Reed Jr.,
M/Sgt Jackson P. Roop,
1st Lt Ashley G. Trope,
Pvt David Waters.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando in Mindoro Island: 8 killed

Date & Time: Jul 17, 1945

Type of aircraft:

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Operator:

Registration:

44-77767

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Puerto Princesa - Nichols

MSN:

33163

YOM:

1945

Location:

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Circumstances:

The aircraft left Puerto Princesa bound for Nichols AFB near Manila with mail and freight on board. At that time, weather conditions were poor with heavy rain falls, low visibility, low clouds and wind up to 20 knots. One hour and twenty minutes after departure, the crew informed ground about his ETA in Nichols, and this was the last radio contact. Later, the aircraft hit the slope of a mountain located in the northwest part of Mindoro Island. The wreckage was found few days later and all eight occupants have been killed.
Crew:
S/Sgt Robert E. Beasley,
1st Lt Dean W. Gordon,
Sgt Casimir J. Kaplan,
2nd Lt Leslie H. Latham,
2nd Lt Harvey E. Meitner,
2nd Lt Edward L. Seebon,
Cpl Don C. Tang,
T/Sgt Paul J. Tyler.