Coast Guard: Nepalese pilot recovered

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The body of the missing Nepalese pilot in the Masbate plane crash has been recovered, Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Vice Admiral Edmund Tan said Thursday morning, August 23.

Tan, who was with Rappler in a flight from Masbate, has received confirmation on the recovery of the body of Nepalese pilot Kshitiz Chand. The pilot’s body was found by MBCA cooperative, a passenger banca plying Masbate on the way to Ticao Island at around 7 a.m. Thursday, Tan said.

The family of Chand has verified that this is indeed his body, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said. Chand’s father and brother are in Masbate.

This concludes Task Force Kalihim, which was formed after a plane carrying the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo and two pilots crashed off Masbate on Saturday, August 18. Gazmin thanked officials involved in Task Force Kalihim in a press conference.

Chand’s body has been brought offshore for inspection.

The government is now coordinating with the Chand family on how his body will be brought home to Nepal.

Capt Felipe Macababad of the Bicol Coast Guard said the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) now wants to recover the Piper Seneca’s engine which is still underwater.

However, with the termination of the Task Force, the logistics for the engine’s retrieval will now be a problem.

Bahinting recovery

On Wednesday, August 22, the body of Filipino pilot Jessup Bahinting was retrieved off Masbate. His remains have been brought to Cebu, according to reports.

The plane wreckage was also recovered on Wednesday evening.

Meanwhile, Robredo’s wake is being held in Naga City, and will be transferred to Manila on Friday. His family has agreed to give him a state funeral, as the Palace suggested. He will be buried on Tuesday, August 28.

Robredo’s parents, however, have not been informed about their son’s death. – Rappler.com