Navy aircraft ditches in Capiz; 8 passengers safe

MANILA, Philippines – A Philippine Navy aircraft made a forced landing in the central Philippine province of Capiz Tuesday after encountering engine trouble, a spokesman said. All eight passengers were safe. In a text message, Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo said that about Tuesday noon, the twin-engine propelled Navy Islander’s right engine encountered trouble while enroute to its headquarters at Naval Base Cavite, forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing in a fishpond in Agoho village in Panay town. At the time of the incident, the aircraft had just come from Mactan Airport in Cebu City, Arevalo said. The pilots noticed a black smoke emitting from the aircraft’s right engine, prompting them to make an emergency landing, Arevalo said. "In spite of the emergency, the pilot (Lieutenant Commander Lued Luna) and co-pilot (Lieutenant Junior Grade Antonio Bosch maneuvered the aircraft to evade the populated area," he said. All passengers were safe, except for student pilot Lieutenant Junior Grade Rodiard Babera who sustained a slight cut on his forehead. - GMANews.TV