President’s Hall, Malacañang
13 November 2012

President Benigno S. Aquino III announced in a press briefing held in Malacañang the results of the investigation conducted by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) under the supervision of CAAP Director General and Philippine Air Force Commanding General William Knowles Hotchkiss III on the ill-fated plane that took the lives of the late DILG Sec. Jesse Robredo and two other pilots on August 18.

The President said that the he felt sadness and dismay upon reading the results, and that the search for evidences continues so that those liable and responsible for the incident on the sides of Aviatour’s and CAAP could be properly charged. He then ordered the Transportation and Communications Department to strengthen CAAP to further accelerate the reforms in the aviation industry.

Based on the report, the following are the results of the investigation: 1. Capt. Jessup Bahinting did not have sufficient experience and knowledge in one-engine inoperative emergencies; 2. The lowering of landing gear and flaps on the plane’s approach to the Masbate airport were against the Flight Manual Procedures for the Piper Seneca aircraft, especially since they were not sure if they will even reach the runway; and 3. Regulatory requirements were also circumvented by Aviatour’s Fly’n Inc., the company that owned the Piper Seneca plane, conniving with an inspector of the CAAP.

* * *