The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) confirmed that both pilots on board a Cessna 152 operated by Pilipinas Space Aviation Academy Inc. perished in the crash incident near Lingayen, Pangasinan on Sunday at approximately 8:01 a.m. local time.
Reports said that the aircraft — registered as RP-C8595 — made a crash landing under circumstances that are currently under investigation. Despite being transported to a nearby hospital, both occupants were pronounced dead shortly after.
In response to the incident, CAAP has mandated that all of Pilipinas Space Aviation Academy Inc.’s aircraft be grounded immediately pending the result of the investigation.
Authorities have launched a formal investigation to determine the cause of the crash.
The names of the deceased pilots have not been released pending notification of their families. Officials have not specified whether the flight was a training session or what factors might have contributed to the accident.
CAAP officials have stated that further updates will be shared when more information becomes available from the ongoing inquiry.