The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has initiated an investigation led by the Aircraft Accident and Inquiry Investigation Board (AAIIB) into the disappearance of the Piper PA-32-300 aircraft in Isabela Thursday November 30.
At the same time, Search and Rescue (SAR) units on Friday morning have implemented an Incident Command System (ICS) for the missing aircraft.
The said aircraft is owned by Fliteline Airways and operated by Cyclone Airways.
According to CAAP, as of 9:00 a.m., its "Operations Center (OpCen) and the Philippine Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Center (PARCC) virtually convened with the incident group at the Philippine Air force Tactical Operations Group 2 (TOG 2) headquarters in Cauayan city, Isabela."
The Piper PA-32, with registration RP-C1234, departed from Cauayan Airport on November 30 at 9:39 a.m., and was supposed to arrive at Palanan Airport at around 10.23 a.m., according to the CAAP.
The Piper PA-32 is a series of single-engine, fixed landing gear aircraft manufactured in the United States by Piper Aircraft between 1965 and 2007.
The plane is used around the world for private transportation, air taxi services, bush support, and medevac flights.
CAAP added that as per TOG 2 head Colonel Glenn Piquero, SAR operations will commence on the last recorded position of RP-C1234 based on the Flight Radar 24 footage by CAAP PARCC.
The aviation regulator said that the Incident Command System was organized by the Palanan Philippine National Police (PNP). A team composed of PNP personnel, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), joined in the emergency activation of the ICS for the SAR operations.
The PNP team, composed of 32 personnel, is currently carrying out an investigation in Barangay Casala, San Mariano, Isabela as they make their way towards the potential whereabouts of RP-C1234.
The San Mariano police station, CAAP added, conducted monitoring in their area after being informed about the incident on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Palanan Local government deployed 44 people to Sitio Dipadsangan, San Mariano, Isabela to join the search.
This is the second incident involving a plane departing from Cauayan airport, after a Cessna 206 bound for Maconacon Airport crashed in Divilacan, Isabela last January with six fatalities.
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