On 18 February 2023, at 0643 local time, a Textron Aviation CE340A aircraft, registered RP-C2080, departed Bicol International Airport for Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Philippines. A few minutes after departure, air traffic control lost contact with the aircraft, and the wreckage was subsequently found to have collided with terrain on the slope of Mount Mayon. There were 2 Australian citizens on board.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Philippines (CAAP) investigated this occurrence. As Australian citizens were on board the aircraft, the CAAP invited the ATSB to appoint an expert to the investigation. To facilitate this appointment, the ATSB initiated an accredited representative investigation under the provisions of the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003.
During 2023, an ATSB investigator provided liaison between the Australian passengers' next-of-kin, Australian Federal Police family liaison officers and CAAP as required. The final report into this investigation was released by CAAP on 16 October 2023. The report is available for download on the CAAP website.
