Search and rescue ops for missing light plane in Isabela ongoing, says CAAP

Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines says search and rescue operations have begun for the missing light plane in Isabela on Friday, December 1, 2023. (Photo from CAAP)

MANILA, Philippines — Search and rescue operations have been launched for the missing light plane in Isabela, said Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Friday.

According to CAAP, the missing plane is a Piper PA-32-300 type aircraft carrying two passengers, including the pilot Captain Levy Abdul II.

It was reported to have disappeared on Thursday, November 30, after departing from Cauayan Airport at 9:39 a.m.

CAAP said as of 8 a.m on Friday, search and rescue units have been activated.

“[Search and rescue] operations will commence on the last recorded position of [the plane], based on the Flight Radar 24 footage,” it said.

The last known position of the aircraft at 10 a.m. on Thursday was 29.09 nautical miles east of Cauayan Airport.

The agency has communicated with Philippine Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Center and Philippine Air Force in Cauayan city, Isabela for assistance.

Meanwhile, CAAP said Philippine National Police team, consisting of 32 personnel, is looking for the plane in Barangay Casala, San Mariano, Isabela.

For its part, the local government of Palanan dispatched 44 people to Sitio Dipadsangan, San Mariano, Isabela.