Search for missing Cessna plane in Isabela halted due to bad weather

MANILA, Philippines — The search and retrieval operations (SAR) for the missing Cessna 206 RP-C1174 were halted on Saturday morning due to inclement weather, said the  Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

The six-seater Cessna has been missing since Tuesday following its departure from Cauayan Domestic Airport in the province of Isabela.

READ: Cessna plane goes missing in Isabela

“CAAP reported that the ongoing SAR operations for the missing aircraft utilizing 2 [Philippine Air Force Huey helicopters] has been halted due to bad weather in the area this morning, aerial surveillance continues as soon as weather permits,” the authority said in a statement.

The CAAP’s Communications, Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management have also found no traces of the plane.

The  Hong Kong Mission Control Center (HKMCC) and Japan Mission Control Center (JAMCC) have already been asked to evaluate any distress signal they may have received in relation to the missing plane, said Philippine Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Center Facility-In-Charge Bong Meneses.

However, the HKMCC was not able to locate the missing plane’s emergency locator transmitter. The HKMCC’s results were further verified by the JAMCC.

The CAAP said that “[two] investigators from CAAP Aircraft Accident Investigation and Inquiry Board personnel [are] already at Cauayan airport for immediate deployment.”

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