Body of co-pilot in Masbate plane crash recovered–report

The body of Nepalese copilot, Kshtiz Chand, is brought to shore after being found floating in the vicinity of the crash site Thursday. The wreckage of the plane also lies near the shore after being raised from the seabed. AFP PAO

MANILA, Philippines – The body of Nepalese co-pilot Kshitz Chand was recovered from the sea off Masbate Thursday morning where a plane crash killed two others, including Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo Saturday.

Chand’s body was said to have been recovered floating near the vicinity of the crash site some 500 meters away from Masbate airport, a television report said.

A Philippine Navy vessel had reported to the authorities about the body they found after which a rubber boat was sent to obtain it.

The body of the pilot, Captain Jessup Bahinting, was recovered from the wreckage of the plane Wednesday night, while Robredo’s body was recovered Tuesday morning.

The Piper Seneca airplane they were riding was said to have encountered engine trouble as it was on its way to Naga City from Cebu and called Masbate airport to make an emergency landing. It however failed to make it to the runway and crashed some 500 meters from the airport.

Robredo’s aide-de-camp, Police Senior Inspector June Abrazado, was the sole survivor of the crash. He managed to escape after the plane crashed into the water and sunk. He was later rescued by a passing fisherman who saw the accident.