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Mid Air Collision in Plaridel

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Old 23rd Jun 2011, 06:30
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Mid Air Collision in Plaridel

Can anybody enlighten me on the circumstances surrounding the midair collision that happened in Plaridel, Bulacan, Philippines on July 8, 2007?

It seems there was a news blackout about this accident which involved 2 female Indian trainees and a Filipino instructor. I happen to fly with the sister of one of the Indian trainees who told me the story.

It was really tragic how this accident happened and how it could have been avoided had the controller not focused on watching the Nonito Donaire vs. Vic Darchinyan title boxing match aired that day. And to happen to an 18-year old girl who was the youngest female pilot in India at that time?
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Old 24th Jun 2011, 22:33
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Don't just jump into conclusion. The incident happened below controlled airspace and outside of controlled zone, meaning there's no ATC involvement. VFR rules apply, pilots are responsible for their own separation. They should be looking out the window and make sure they don't hit anybody.
@amihan:
I hope you understand from my first statement how I AM NOT jumping into conclusion.
Can anybody enlighten me on the circumstances surrounding the midair collision that happened in Plaridel, Bulacan, Philippines on July 8, 2007?
If I was, I wouldn't have asked that question and just blabbered on. What I wanted to know is precisely that, the details coz you see, what I wrote after that first statement is the only things I know of the accident. I was surprised how this thing was just swept under the rug.

And yes, I do know a little about VFR rules. Let me elaborate:

The most fundamental rule governing the operation of an aircraft in flight is FAR Part 91.113(b). This rule is so simple that it doesn’t always get the attention it deserves from students and instructors.

Here is the formal language of the rule: When weather conditions permit, regardless of whether an operation is conducted under instrument flight rules or visual flight rules, vigilance shall be maintained by each person operating an aircraft so as to see and avoid other aircraft.

The see-and-avoid rule applies to all pilots, and all types of airspace regardless of the air traffic control services being provided, even when a controller is actively providing separation from other aircraft.

As you study and learn the regulations for avoiding collisions, remember that FAR 91.113(b) is the fundamental rule that underlies them all.

My point actually is whatever the rule, it does not justify the loss of lives...

This blog proves to be a good read: Mid-Air Collision « Flying in Crosswinds
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Old 25th Jun 2011, 00:04
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I believe this is what you are looking for

Quite sad indeed

2 flight school planes collide; 3 dead | Aviation India: Careers


Dombivli girl flew high with dreams, but .. | Aviation India: Careers


Kerala teen
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Old 25th Jun 2011, 01:37
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@ repapips:

ergo, we just have to discard everything about TCAS procedures then
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Old 25th Jun 2011, 08:50
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ergo, we just have to discard everything about TCAS procedures then
@capt. solipsist

do pray tell, what has TCAS got to do with the accident? Those Cessnas didn't have them on board anyway.
Or maybe you're referring to this? "The see-and-avoid rule applies to all pilots, and all types of airspace regardless of the air traffic control services being provided, even when a controller is actively providing separation from other aircraft."

I would like to assume you know the first action a pilot should do the instant he hears a TA. I don't understand why you would insinuate that what I wrote contradicts TCAS procedures. Heaven forbid another Überlingen!!!
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Old 25th Jun 2011, 09:37
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Know TCAS? I teach the darn thing!
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Old 25th Jun 2011, 09:52
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repapips

I have nothing against your first statement but when you say the ATCs were watching a boxing match which contributed to the accident, that is just a big insult to us. We may be the lowest paid ATCs in the world but we are certainly not stupid, ignorant and irresponsible.
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Old 26th Jun 2011, 05:54
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capt. solipsist, you teach the darn thing? Well then, my reply is the same.

All the more!
Do you also teach PPL pilots about TCAS when they don't carry the equipment?
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Old 26th Jun 2011, 06:02
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@amihan:

Please don't be insulted with my statement. I was just stating what I heard from the accident and in no way was I generalizing about ATC controllers.
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Old 26th Jun 2011, 10:51
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PPL? My apologies, the licenses of the guys I teach got the initials ATPL in the 737 and now in the 320.

First thing PF does in a TA? Nothing, except to announce "TCAS, I have control."
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Old 26th Jun 2011, 12:03
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repapips,

the comment is insulting to the profession generally, there is no traffic separation responsibility for aircraft outside controlled airspace that are VFR.

You're implying that the controller was negligent. TV or not, most places in the world that I know the accident would not have been prevented as you have assumed (incorrectly).

What has TCAS to do with this particular collision?
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Old 27th Jun 2011, 02:20
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Tarq57,

I did not assume anything. If you would only read my statement very carefully. What I said was what I heard from the sister of the victim. Apparently, she and her family are still seeking justice up to this day and obviously, they got their hands on whatever facts or assumptions they could get coz they are not from the country where it happened. What I wanted hopefully was to get more facts to the story coz my knowledge of it is very limited.

And if you would read it again, I never mentioned anything about TCAS in my first statement. I only mentioned it in reply to Mr. TCAS instructor, capt. solipsist, who btw, doesn't seem to recognize whether this statement is a figure of speech or not:

Do you also teach PPL pilots about TCAS when they don't carry the equipment?

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Old 27th Jun 2011, 06:27
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@ repapips,

Your statement:
It was really tragic how this accident happened and how it could have been avoided had the controller not focused on watching the Nonito Donaire vs. Vic Darchinyan title boxing match aired that day
is one big assumption.

Point taken about the TCAS. It seems it has nothing to do with this accident.

Now, where precisely did the accident occur? In the traffic pattern, inside the zone but outside the traffic pattern, or outside the zone?

I do not consider the blog you linked authoritative, nor the newspaper items.

Why do you think there is a cover up? This seems highly unlikely to me.
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Old 27th Jun 2011, 06:43
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Tarq57,

Like I said, all these have just been told to me by the sister of the victim. Exactly how i stated them, not my own words. Even about the thought of a coverup, since the family had been trying to get justice but the authorities have been pointing fingers and passing them around. I just took pity on her and promised to find everything I can to help them.

It happened well in the traffic pattern. One Cessna was cleared to land on final approach with an instructor and a trainee, while another Cessna flown solo by another Indian trainee, hit them from base leg, clipping their wings.

I just thought an accident of this level would merit mention in the papers and prompt investigation especially when 3 lives were lost. I'm sure it has been mentioned in the papers but maybe (now I'm assuming here) it was just buried in the local news in small print to be noticed.
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Old 27th Jun 2011, 07:19
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I just took pity on her and promised to find everything I can to help them.
Do the regulators have a report out? Maybe that'd be something more concrete and fact based.
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Old 27th Jun 2011, 08:50
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It wasn't clear in your OP that the content was the opinion of the relatives, rather than your own. Now it is clear.

Sad indeed, and understandable that they would want to leap to a conclusion.

An accident within the pattern would normally be within the area of responsibility of the ATC unit, as well as the situational awareness of the pilots, if that is what actually happened.

As Ross M pointed out, the official report/accident investigation, if it has been published yet, is where to find the facts. I would be quite dismayed if such an event was covered up. That would be unusual; well-nigh impossible, in most parts of the world. It happens, though.
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Old 28th Jun 2011, 19:13
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why even offer to help when youre not in a position to do so?
this is what you call helping them?- getting info from PPrune? did you even try to get the meaning of PPrune? its a rumour network!
and whats this accusation about controllers watching tv? i suggest you get your facts straight.
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Old 29th Jun 2011, 06:39
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nandyg1,

in case you haven't noticed, i've been on PPRuNe more than 10 years now and yes I read all about it before I joined so no need to remind me of what it means.

You know sometimes I envy you guys in the Philippines coz well you know, life's beautiful there. If only I can be there and stay for good.
Now that I've established that I'm not there maybe you'll understand my situation. Add to that the fact that I was there before trying to renew my ATPL but it seems they just changed the collar of the dog (same dog, new collar) with regards to CAAP. Needless to say, after going there 4 or 5 times and waiting and waiting, my efforts proved futile...but I digress...

These, among others are the reasons why I ask here. But don't worry, I don't get exclusive information from here. I just trusted that some kind-hearted souls would feel the pain I did when I heard the story and maybe try to extend their hand (and knowledge) about the accident.

Of course I want to get my facts straight. Everybody does, but so far what I gathered (as I said in my previous statements) were just what's been told to me by the sister.

I would love to update you on the facts, straight as they are, once I get them.

Chill out!!!
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Old 30th Jun 2011, 14:37
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Sad story....

When I was doing my training, we were so many students from 5 different flight schools based at the same airport, flying in the same training zone. That's what I used to be the most scared about: VFR Rules in such a small airspace with everybody doing all kind of exercises. It's a miracle no collision has happened yet.
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