CAAP probe team examines right engine of Piper Seneca

MANILA, Philippines - A five-man special crash investigation team of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has started examining the right engine of the ill-fated Piper Seneca plane that carried Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo.

The Coast Guard has retrieved the right engine in waters 186 feet deep and 800 meters from shore at around 12:45 p.m. the other day.

The plane crashed in waters off Masbate two weeks ago and killed Robredo and the two pilots.

The CAAP formed the Special Investigation Committee last Friday to determine the real cause of the crash. 

Retired Air Force commander William Hotchkiss III, CAAP director general, said the special probe team was following a systematic inquiry approach, with the committee’s Airframe/Structure Special Group assisting the investigation team in inspecting the right engine.

“We believe the plane engine will be a key part of our investigation,” he said. “This will determine if indeed it was due to technical or mechanical problem that caused it to fail.”

The engine is now under tight security at the Masbate airport.

Transportation Secretary Manuel Roxas II said the CAAP must be thorough in investigating the crash.

“We want to assure the aviation industry and the general public that it is still safe to travel in the country,” he said.

The investigating team is reconstructing the plane’s flight path, including communication between the control towers and the pilot. 

CAAP has also taken statements of key witnesses and will issue subpoenas. 

Only for training

A CAAP special investigator, who asked for anonymity as he was not authorized to issue a statement, said yesterday the airworthiness certificate issued to the Piper Seneca was for training purposes only.

The use of trainer planes for commercial purposes is a violation of CAAP regulations, the investigator added.

The investigator said Aviatours Fly’n Inc., owner of the plane, had applied for an ATO (Air Training Organization) when renewing the airworthiness certificate, which means the plane would be for training, not for commercial use.

The STAR was able to obtain documents including the importation records of the plane.

In a text message to The STAR, Roxas said he is not aware of the training flight category of the certificate issued.

“I will check on that,” he said.

The investigator said the dual use of the plane must have been indicated in the application for the renewal of the airworthiness certificate.

“It appeared that the flight of Secretary Robredo was not a chartered flight but a training flight with the Nepalese student building up his flying time,” he said. “Those who processed and approved the documents are liable for graft.”  – With Perseus Echeminada, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Aurea Calica