Plane with two mayors makes emergency landing in Isabela

SANTIAGO CITY, Isabela — A Cessna plane carrying seven people, including two mayors in this northern Luzon province, made an emergency landing in Ilagan town after its engine failed Sunday. The pilots and the five passengers were safe although a bit “traumatized," said Police Superintendent Roberto Bucad, spokesman of the Isabela Provincial Police. Bucad said the Cessna light plane — owned by Cyclone Airways with Body no. 207 and tail no. RP-C671 — landed at a farmland between the far-flung villages of Cabiseria 25 and Cabiseria 22 in Ilagan town after developing engine failure at around 1 p.m. The plane, which has been plying Cauayan City to Maconacon, Isabela and vice versa, was being piloted by Captain Honorio Camposagrado and Jun Somera. On board were Divilacan Mayor Venturito Bulan, Maconacon Mayor Erlinda Domingo, Divilacan health officer Levi Caramat, a certain Mrs. Aggulin and Don Celso Michael Domingo. The plane left Maconacon airport at about 1 p.m. and was expected to land at Cauayan City Airport within 35 minutes. “It is God’s will that we landed safe. I shivered at the thought of a possible crash but we prayed hard and our prayers were answered," Bulan said. Bulan said the plane might be fixed at the said site for two to three days. - Joel Nueva/KBK, GMANews.TV