Inclement weather halts search for missing Cessna in Isabela
THE Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) reported that the ongoing search and rescue (SAR) operations for the missing Cessna aircraft by the two Philippine Air Force (PAF) Huey helicopters had been halted due to bad weather in the area Saturday.
The aerial surveillance will continue as soon as weather permits, according to CAAP.
Philippine Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Center (PARCC) Facility-in-Charge Bong Meneses said in a press conference Saturday that his office had already requested Hongkong and Japan Mission Control Center to review or evaluate for any distress alert received relative to the missing aircraft using their search and rescue satellite aided tracking system but proved to be futile.
They also reviewed the radar coverage through CAAP Communications Navigation Surveillance/Air Traffic Management System for traces that might be pick-up from the subject aircraft during his flight but proven negative.
PARCC also extended the hours of operations and early opening of Cauayan Airport to expedite SAR.
Ground search units were reminded to be equipped with beacons during their search operations as bad weather and rains hampered land search operations, said CAAP.
