Two people were killed when an ultralight aircraft crashed in a rice field in this town yesterday morning.
The pilot and his female passenger, whose identities were not immediately available, were declared dead on arrival at the Concepcion District Hospital, according to Col. Franklin Estoro, Tarlac police director.
Witnesses said they saw the single-engine, two-seater plane circling in the air before it lost altitude and crashed in Barangay Panalicsican at around 11 a.m.
Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the accident, although they are eyeing possible engine trouble, pilot error or weather conditions.
Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has suspended the operation of the Woodland Airpark, operator of the light plane that crashed in Tarlac.
The CAAP ordered an immediate assessment of the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft and the operator’s compliance with the aviation safety standards.
Under the Philippine Civil Aviation Regulations, ultralight planes are categorized under non-type certificated aircraft and authorized for recreational purposes only.
The aircraft is allowed to operate only within its designated flying club aerodrome and must not fly higher than 800 feet.
Appropriate sanctions await violators, the CAAP said.