Benito Soliven, Isabela: Piper Plane Pilot Found Dead, Passenger Missing After Crash in Sierra Madre Rainforests

Benito Soliven, Isabela: The pilot of a Piper plane was discovered dead at approximately 11 a.m. However, the lone passenger was not found near the crash site in the Sierra Madre rainforests of Casala, San Mariano, Isabela, as reported by the Incident Management Team (IMT) on Thursday, 7th December.

The pilot was identified as Capt. Levy Abul 2nd, and the passenger was Erma Escalante, 43, from Palanan town, Isabela province.

An Air Force helicopter carried 11 rescuers to a landing zone near the crash site on Wednesday, 6th December. The rescue team reached the crash site on Thursday, 7th December, where they found the remains of the pilot. They also discovered a makeshift shelter nearby, suggesting that the lone passenger may have survived the crash.

Joshua Hapinat, spokesperson for the IMT, stated, “Around 11 a.m. today (7th Dec), the rescuers that were dispatched yesterday (6th Dec) have reached the wreckage of the Piper plane. Sadly, the pilot was found lifeless. The lone passenger was not found in the vicinity. However, she appears to have survived the crash as indicated by a makeshift shelter that she presumably put up near the wreckage.”

The Piper PA-32-300 plane, owned by Fliteline Airways and operated by Cyclone Airways, departed Cauayan Airport at 9:39 a.m. on 30th November. It was scheduled to arrive at Palanan Airport at 10:23 a.m. on the same day when it was reported missing.

Weather permitting, tomorrow (8th Dec), the rescuers will transport the pilot’s remains to a helicopter landing zone and then fly them to the Tactical Operations Group 2 in Cauayan City. K9 trackers, who were on standby, will also be brought to Cauayan City. These trackers will be dropped near the wreckage and will follow the scent left by the passenger on the vegetation, starting from the crash site.

The IMT has not provided any photographs or videos of the wreckage site to the media.