Empennage Damaged, But Only Minor Injuries

An instructor was flying with a student on approach to an airfield in Lingayen, Pangasinan in Central Luzon in the Philippines in a Cessna 152, a scenario which has been duplicated many times around the world. But the flight took an odd turn when a motorized, three-wheeled taxi wandered onto the runway and into the path of the plane.

Gulfnews.com reports the instructor, Quennie Gaviola, and student pilot Joseph Valledor, Jr. escaped with minor injuries when the plane "grazed" the ground vehicle at the conclusion of the cross-country flight from Las Pinas City near Manila. The aircraft's horizontal stabilizer was also reportedly damaged.

The report, which originated with Bombo Radyo radio news, adds that an investigation is underway to find out how the taxi could have gained access to what should be a restricted area. The station also reports a noticeable increase in accidents involving light aircraft in recent years as more Filipinos take flying lessons, and foreign students take advantage of the country's relatively low training costs.

FMI: http://flightaware.com/live/airport/RPUG