Laoag International Airlines Flight 585

Laoag International Airlines Flight 585

A Fokker F-27 similar to the accident aircraft
Accident summary
Date November 11, 2002 (2002-11-11)
Summary Pilot Error
Site Manila Bay, Philippines
Passengers 29
Crew 5
Fatalities 19
Injuries (non-fatal) 15
Aircraft type Fokker F-27 Friendship
Operator Laoag International Airlines
Registration RP-C6888
Flight origin Ninoy Aquino International Airport
Destination Laoag International Airport

Laoag International Airlines Flight 585 was a scheduled flight operated by Laoag International Airlines from Manila to Laoag, Philippines. On November 11, 2002, the Fokker F-27 Friendship crashed into Manila Bay shortly after takeoff from Ninoy Aquino International Airport.[1] Out of the 34 passengers and crew on board, there were only 15 survivors.

Flight

Flight 585 took off from Ninoy Aquino International Airport shortly after 6 a.m. local time. Almost at once the plane's engines began to fail. The flight crew decided to return to the airport but when it became an infeasible option, the pilots chose to attempt a water landing in Manila Bay instead. The Fokker F-27 broke up and sank; the Philippine Coast Guard and local fishermen rushed to the scene but 19 passengers and crew had died.

Six Australian men were among those killed.[2] The pilot and co-pilot of Flight 585 were among the survivors. Another survivor was Roman Catholic Bishop Jose Salazar.[3]

Investigation

The owner of Laoag International Airlines, Paul Ng, stated sabotage caused the crash, but retracted his statement very soon afterwards.[4] A month after the crash, Ng plus the Airlines chief mechanic, were arrested by Philippine immigration authorities and charged with working without having a proper permit.[5][6]

On January 10, 2003, it was announced that pilot error was the cause of the crash. The plane’s two surviving pilots, Captain Bernie Crisostomo and First Officer Joseph Gardiner, failed to notice that the fuel valves were closed. Transportation and Communications Secretary, Leandro Mendoza, placed the blame for the pilot's fatal lapse on the principal officers of Laoag International Airlines.[7]

Five months after the investigation was complete, a special committee of the Senate began proceedings to revoke Laoag International Airlines congressional franchise.[8]

References

  1. ↑ Plane crashes in Manila Bay, 18 dead
  2. ↑ 'Flying coffins' had shocking safety record
  3. ↑ FLIGHT 585: "If I die, take care of my kid", says passenger
  4. ↑ LIA owner denies there was sabotage
  5. ↑ Airline condemns arrest of chairman
  6. ↑ Bureau of Immigration deported chief mechanic of Laoag Airlines
  7. ↑ Pilot error caused Laoag Airlines Flight 585 crash
  8. ↑ Senate wants Laoag Air franchise revoked

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