CONCEPCION, Tarlac --- A recreational ultralight aircraft operated by 19-year-old pilot John Paul Boiles crashed into a rice field in Barangay Panalicsican, Concepcion, Tarlac, on Saturday morning, 18 October, killing both Boiles and his 18-year-old passenger, Joana Ruth Denoza.

The Tarlac Provincial Police Office (PPO) confirmed the fatalities in a statement, marking one of the youngest aviation-related deaths recorded in the province.

According to the Concepcion Municipal Police Station (CMPS), the single-engine, two-seater plane was seen circling the area before plummeting into the farmland around 11 a.m. Witnesses reported a sudden loss of altitude, prompting locals to rush to the crash site.

Both victims were extracted alive but sustained critical injuries. They were rushed to Concepcion District Hospital, where attending physicians pronounced them Dead on Arrival (DOA).

The CMPS, under the leadership of Police Lieutenant Colonel Philip Flores Antang, Chief of Police, and the Tarlac PPO, are collaborating with aviation experts to determine the cause. Initial findings released by the Tarlac PPO suggest possible mechanical failure, though weather conditions and pilot experience remain under scrutiny. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) verified the aircraft was registered for recreational use but reiterated strict safety protocols for ultralight operations.

Barangay Panalicsican residents expressed shock over the incident, with eyewitnesses describing the aircraft’s engine “sputtering” before the crash. “We heard a loud noise, then it dropped like a stone,” said farmer Alberto Reyes, who assisted responders. Barangay Captain Rolando Cruz lamented the tragedy, stating, “This is a devastating loss for two young lives. Our community stands with their families.”

Boiles, an Angeles City native, was described by neighbors as a “passionate aviation enthusiast” with prior flight training. Denoza, a resident of Macabebe, Pampanga, was reportedly on her first ultralight flight experience. Tributes flooded social media, with friends calling the duo “adventurous souls who lived fully.”

Police Lieutenant Colonel Antang emphasized that the CMPS is coordinating with the CAAP and victim families to ensure a thorough probe. “We are committed to transparency as forensic analysis progresses,” he said.

The Tarlac PPO urged witnesses to contact their hotline (0939-536-5246) with additional information. A progress report is expected within 48 hours.