Engine trouble eyed as cause of Cotabato plane crash

Investigators are eyeing engine trouble as the cause of a plane crash that killed nine people, including an Air Force general and a civilian, in Cotabato City last week. Initial investigation conducted by the Aircraft Investigation Board revealed that the left hand engine and propeller of the Philippine Air Force Nomad plane were "badly damaged," said PAF spokesman Lt. Col. Gerardio Zamudio in a statement. The pilot might have also encountered right hand engine failure while on flight, he added. Eight of the fatalities were passengers of a Nomad plane that burst into flames after it plowed right across three houses at Virgo Subdivision, Purok 7, Rosary Heights 9 in the city. A civilian – Inday Mondrano, who was in her sixties – died after a wall of one of the houses collapsed on her. The highest-ranking official among the military fatalities was Maj. Gen. Mario Butch Lacson, commander of the Air Force's 3rd Air Division. The other passengers were the pilots, Capt. Genaro Gaylord Ordonio and 1st Lt. Angelica Valdez. The passengers included Maj. Prisco Tacuboy, Lt. Alexander Ian Lipait, and Staff Sergeants Ronaldo Mejia, Ianne Christy Marose Llamera, and Jeffrey Gozon. Initial results were based on the transcript of the conversation between the plane and the air traffic controller, retrieved parts from the crash site, and witness accounts, Zamudio said. To verify the reports, Zamudio said the board will open the Nomad's right hand engine to determine its condition before it crashed. Meanwhile, the remaining Nomad Aircraft in the country will remain grounded until the real cause behind the accident has been established. - GMANews.TV