Wreckage of PAF plane that crashed off Bataan found

MANILA, Philippines – The wreckage of the trainer aircraft that crashed off Bataan last May was retrieved by authorities over the weekend, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) said. 

PAF spokesman Col. Miguel Okol said the wreckage of the SF-260TP “Warrior” aircraft was discovered by Navy and volunteer divers some 80 feet below the waters of Mariveles town Saturday morning.

However, authorities have yet to find 1Lt. Michael Arugay, the co-pilot of the ill-fated aircraft.

The body of Maj. Neil Tumaneng, the plane’s pilot, was retrieved from the waters off La Mongha Island last month.

Okol said divers initially secured the wreckage with ropes before the Navy’s AS71 vessel pulled it up to the surface.

PAF chief Lt. Gen. Lauro de la Cruz has ordered an immediate investigation upon receipt of the aircraft’s wreckage.

“The 15th Strike Wing, the PAF unit primarily responsible for coordinating the search and retrieval operations, will continue searching for 1Lt. Michael Arugay, whose body was not found with the wreckage,” Okol said. 

Tumaneng and Arugay were on board the SF-260TP trainer aircraft that crashed off Mariveles last May 18 while conducting a proficiency flight.

The aircraft, which was acquired in 1994, took off from Sangley Point, Cavite at around 6:52 a.m. on May 18 and was reported missing minutes past 7 a.m. 

On Aug. 19, fishermen recovered the body of Tumaneng in waters between Corregidor and Mariveles.  

Tumaneng was wearing a green flight suit with complete uniform patches. A parachute was still strapped to his body and an oversea cap was still in one of his flight suit’s pockets. 

The identity of Tumaneng was validated through markings on the oversea cap and the uniform patches.