The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Monday announced it has extended a precautionary suspension for Topflite Academy of Aviation Inc.’s flight training operations following a crash landing of a Cessna aircraft near Iba Airport in Zambales on July 11 that injured four people.
“This measure is in accordance with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon to uphold the highest standards of aviation safety and reinforce accountability within the aviation sector,” the CAAP said in a statement.
The agency explained it has deemed it necessary to extend the suspension until the investigation into the training program is completed and all safety and compliance issues are fully addressed.
CAAP Director General retired Lt. Gen. Raul Del Rosario emphasized that their action is important to “protect future aviators and preserve the integrity of aviation training by ensuring that all flight schools strictly adhere to established safety protocols and regulatory standards.”
“CAAP assures the public and aviation stakeholders that strict oversight continues to be implemented to safeguard the integrity of pilot training institutions and ensure safe, responsible, and compliant operations throughout the aviation sector,” he said.
Reports from the Philippine National Police – Aviation Security Group (PNP-Avsegroup) indicated that the plane crashed in an agricultural area of Barangay Lipay Dingin Panibutan.
The Cessna 172 aircraft with tail number RP-C2211 had departed from Iba Airport at approximately 8:57 a.m. for a local training flight when the incident occurred in Purok 4, Sitio Corocan.
The plane was carrying one flight instructor and three student pilots, all of whom are Filipino citizens. All individuals were rushed to the President Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Hospital for medical attention by personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Iba, Zambales.
