2 hurt as Cessna plane crashes in Batangas

SAN PEDRO, Laguna–The pilot of a Cessna plane and his mechanic sustained broken knees and are recuperating in a hospital after their aircraft crash landed in Batangas, the Aviation Authority on Monday said.

Eric Apolonio, the public information officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), said a Cessna 172 plane of the University of Perpetual Help System School of Aviation was on a test flight when it crash landed at the Barradas Airstrip in Tanauan City, Batangas around 1:45 p.m. on Sunday.

“(The plane’s) right wing hit the ground before the plane tumbled,” Apolonio said.

He said the pilot, Capt. Richard Ricon, and his mechanic Vic Roldan survived the crash and are confined in a hospital in Tanauan City.

Apolonio said the aircraft was grounded as CAAP investigates into the cause of the crash and determine possible sanctions on the flight school.

Originally posted at 09:08 am | Feb. 17, 2014