Philippines: 9 killed as plane crashes into house after takeoff
A small passenger plane carrying five people crashed into a house shortly after takeoff in the Philippines, killing all those onboard and four people on the ground. The Piper-23 Apache took off from the airport in Bulacan province's Plaridel town and then crash-landed due to a still-unknown reason, smashing into a house, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines spokesman Eric Apolonio said. Here's more.
All 5 on board the plane, 4 on ground dead
All five Filipinos on board the six-seat plane were killed; the crash killed four people on the ground, Plaridel police chief Supt. Julio Lizardo said. The crash ignited a fire in a house hit by the aircraft; two other people on the ground were injured. TV footage showed parts of the plane wreckage and the house's shattered walls at the still-smoldering crash site.
The aircraft was operated by Lite Air Express: Apolonio
Meanwhile, the rescuers were looking for at least one missing person in the rubble of the house. Eric Apolonio said the aircraft, which was operated by Lite Air Express, was bound for northern Laoag city. All the aircraft operated by the transport and courier company were grounded while investigators tried to determine the cause of the crash, he said.
