Four travelers aboard a light aircraft perished last Saturday after a flight near the cone of Mayon, the iconic but highly active volcano in the northeast Philippines. The bodies were recovered near the crater following days of a challenging search marked by hazardous explosion risk, limited visibility, and persistent bad weather. Officials confirmed the discovery of four fatalities at the crash site, underscoring the dangers faced by rescuers who pressed on through difficult terrain and unstable conditions around the volcano’s summit (EFE).
The victims include the airplane pilot, Rufino James Crisostomo Jr., along with the plane’s mechanic, Joel Martin. Also lost were Simon Chipperfield, a dual national of Filipino and Australian, and Karthi Santhanam, a consultant affiliated with Energy Development Corporation (EDC) in the Philippines. The six-figure loss has prompted condolences from colleagues and international partners connected to the project, with recognition of the risks involved in operations conducted in high-altitude, volcanic zones (EFE).
The crash occurred shortly after takeoff from a field in Bicol, with the Cessna 340 bound for Manila. Emergency teams initiated a search for passengers and crew near the crater rim, where the terrain becomes steep and weather can shift rapidly. Rescue operations faced a constant threat from potential secondary eruptions and rockfalls, making ground access risky. Helicopters and ground teams worked together under variable visibility, trying to establish a secure route to the crash site while coordinating with local authorities and climbers who know the terrain well (EFE).
In the wake of the incident, international observers have followed the situation closely. Penny Wong, Australia’s foreign minister, expressed condolences on behalf of the Australian government for the families of Simon Chipperfield and Karthi Santhanam, both connected to the Adelaide community, and for the two Filipino nationals involved. The minister emphasized sympathy for all those affected and highlighted ongoing support from Australian authorities and partners in handling the aftermath of the accident (EFE).
Recovered remnants of the Cessna were located last Sunday at an elevation of roughly 350 meters beneath the Mayon crater’s rim, with the peak rise reaching about 2,421 meters above sea level. The rescue effort mobilized several local climbers who had already been operating in the area, stepping in to assist after official teams found it difficult to reach the site by helicopter or by land vehicle due to terrain and weather. The ongoing investigation seeks to determine the exact sequence of events leading to the crash, assess any contributing factors, and ensure lessons learned can be incorporated into future safety protocols for flights operating in volcanic regions (EFE).