CAAP probing death of Cebu Pacific co-pilot

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Monday said it is investigating the reported death of a co-pilot of a Cebu-bound Cebu Pacific flight from Singapore last Saturday.

Citing initial reports, CAAP said in statement that Cebu Pacific flight 5J548 landed at the Cebu Mactan International Airport at 9 a.m. after First Officer Margarito Auza Austria Jr. “became incapacitated due to the sudden onset of a medical condition.”

CAAP said Austria was immediately brought to the Mactan Doctors Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.

CAAP said Aircraft Accident Investigation and Inquiry Board investigators were looking into the cause of death. AAIIB investigators Harry Paradero and Rodrick Briones were dispatched to Cebu to collect information regarding the incident.

Cebu Pacific is working closely with authorities, CAAP added. JE/rga