| Image Upright: | 1.2 |
| Occurrence Type: | Accident |
| Summary: | Crashed shortly after take-off; Under investigation |
| Site: | Plaridel, Bulacan, Philippines |
| Total Fatalities: | 10 |
| Total Injuries: | 2 |
| Occupants: | 5 |
| Passengers: | 3 |
| Crew: | 2 |
| Fatalities: | 5 |
| Survivors: | 0 |
| Aircraft Type: | Piper PA-23 Apache |
| Operator: | Lite Air Express |
| Tail Number: | RP-C299 |
| Origin: | Plaridel Airport, Bulacan |
| Destination: | Laoag International Airport, Ilocos Norte |
| Ground Fatalities: | 5 |
| Ground Injuries: | 2 |
On 17 March 2018, a Piper PA-23 Apache crashed into a residential area in Plaridel, Bulacan, Philippines, killing all five people (three passengers and two pilots) on board and five others on the ground.[1] [2]
The aircraft involved was a six-seater Piper PA-23 light aircraft operated by Lite Air Express, with tail number RP-C299.[3]
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said the aircraft bound for Laoag, Ilocos Norte crashed upon takeoff from Plaridel Airport at 11:21, local time (UTC+8). Shortly before the crash, eyewitnesses on the ground observed the aircraft flying low, hitting a tree and an electric post, before slamming into the house.[4]
Authorities said the plane carried five people which none of them survived.[1] The five other casualties, which included three minors, belonged to a family living in the house the plane crashed into.[5] [6] In addition, two other people were injured by burning debris.[3] [7]
CAAP's accident investigators and a team from Flight Safety & Inspectorate Service (FSIS) were immediately dispatched to the crash site.[7] CAAP said that all aircraft operated by Lite Air Express are grounded pending results of investigation.[8]