14 people killed as plane crash in Manila

December 11, 2011

A four-seater Beechcraft 65-80 plane belonging to Queen Air (RPC-824) crashed in Better Living Subdivision in Parañaque City Saturday afternoon sparking a huge fire and killing at least 14 people, including children. Ten others were reportedly injured and were rushed to the Parañaque Doctors Hospital. One of the injured victims is in critical condition.

Ramon Gutierrez, Director-General of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, said 2 pilots and a civilian onboard the aircraft were killed on impact. The pilots were identified as Timoteo Aldo and Jessie Kim Lustica.

At least three bodies at the crash site were identified as Maribel Nolasco, Margarita Berdera and James Brayan Ranon. The identities of the seven remaining victims were still being ascertained.

Among the injured were Roldan Sabidura, 6; Matt Sabidura, 10; Mary Sabidura, 11; Mark Ryan Sabidura, 12; Rodelyn Molina, 11; Kevin Josh Molina, 5; Ricky Buton, 30; Emelita Abrio, 47; Melvin Nolasco, 4, and Edna Bigay, 52.

Authorities said Better Living Subdivision is at the flight path of runway 13-31 where the ill-fated beechcraft fell around 2 in the afternoon. 

Gutierrez said the pilot encountered a technical problem with the engine shortly after taking off from the Manila domestic airport and called Manila Tower for emergency landing.

“Pag-take off niya sa runway 13-31, nagkaroon ng aberya at tumawag sa tower nagre-request uli ng emergency landing pero hindi na inabot kasi bumagsak na siya,” he said.

“The engines were severely charred and we wonder if investigators will be able to find out whether fuel contamination or fuel starvation caused the engines to quit in mid-air,” added Gutierrez.

The plane, owned by Innovators Technology Inc., was bound for San Jose, Mindoro to pick up fresh marine cargo.

Beth Nabor, a housewife, said she thought the pilot was attempting to land in the area because of the open space and a creek but obviously miscalculated.

She said children had told her they saw people aboard the plane frantically waving and motioning them to run away from its path moments before the crash.

“The children thought that the plane was doing an exhibition until it crashed and was reduced to ashes like it was made of paper,” Nabor said.