THE Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said a test flight involving a Rockwell Commander 685 or Aero Commander 685 aircraft got ditched 500 meters from the shoreline at Purok 3, Barangay Sto. Rosario, Iba, Zambales today, 17 March 2022, at 7:10 am.
The aircraft, operated by Sentinel Logistic Air Management, was carrying six passengers who were student pilots and marshals, along with a pilot, the CAAP said in an advisory.
Meanwhile, in a report by the Philippine National Police (PNP) Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3), the pilot of the aircraft was identified as Captain Mel Bidayan.
The other student pilots were Captain Florencio Ruiz, Captain Jamel Reamon, Captain Albrench Sagario, Captain Carmelita Bidayan, Captain Ian Vincent Agdamag, and Captain Robin Austria.
They were rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and local fishermen from the area.
All persons on board the aircraft are now at the President Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Hospital (PRMMH) for treatment of minor injuries.
CAAP Aircraft Accident Investigation and Inquiry Board (AAIIB) investigators Col. Rommel Ronda and Ralph Fango have been dispatched to examine the incident.