2 hurt as Cessna plane crashes in Davao Oriental

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — A pilot and his student were injured when a Cessna trainer plane crashed in Mati, Davao Oriental yesterday.

The plane, owned by the Mactan Aviation Tech Center, was on a training flight from Davao City to Mati when it figured in the accident in Barangay Dahican at around 7 a.m.

Capt. Manuel Nierra II and Jeremiah Casamura Agonia survived the accident and were taken to the Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries.

Responding personnel of the Mati City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office arrived at the crash site at around 7:45 a.m., but reportedly failed to find the pilot and the student.

The area where the plane crashed is said to be managed by the SECDEA Aviation Flight School.

Reports said the plane had just taken off from the Mati Airport when it hit a mango tree.

Kyle Reyes of SECDEA Aviation said the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines would investigate the incident.