More team join search for missing plane

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has initiated an investigation into the disappearance of a Piper plane in Isabela on November 30, 2023 as more groups joined the search for the aircraft.

The Piper PA-32-300 plane is owned by Fliteline Airways and operated by Cyclone Airways.

CAAP said that members of its Operations Center and the Philippine Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Center virtually convened with the incident group at the Philippine Air Force Tactical Operations Group 2 headquarters in Cauayan City, Isabela.

The aircraft left Cauayan Airport on November 30 at 9:39 a.m. and was supposed to arrive at Palanan Airport at 10.23 a.m.

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 said that a team composed of police personnel, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the Bureau of Fire Protection joined the search and rescue operations.

Meanwhile, the Palanan local government deployed 44 people to Sitio Dipadsangan, San Mariano, Isabela to join the search. Other government agencies expressed their willingness to extend assistance and are waiting for instructions on how to proceed, CAAP said.