2 pilots killed in air cargo plane crash in Philippines

This photo taken on April 2, 2026 shows a scene at the site of an air cargo plane crash in Palawan, the Philippines. Two pilots were killed on Thursday when their air cargo plane crashed outside the perimeter of an airport in Barangay Decalacho in Coron, Palawan, in the Philippines, according to the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group (PNP-ASG). The PNP-ASG said the accident occurred at around 11 a.m. local time outside the perimeter of the Busuanga Airport. Initial investigation revealed that the aircraft had suddenly crashed and exploded upon takeoff after picking up live fish products. The bodies of the pilot and co-pilot were recovered at around 3 p.m. during a search and retrieval operation. The airport's runway operations were temporarily suspended following the crash, but resumed later. (Photo: Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group/Handout via Xinhua)

MANILA, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Two pilots were killed on Thursday when their air cargo plane crashed outside the perimeter of an airport in Barangay Decalacho in Coron, Palawan, in the Philippines, according to the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group (PNP-ASG).

The PNP-ASG said the accident occurred at around 11 a.m. local time outside the perimeter of the Busuanga Airport. Initial investigation revealed that the aircraft had suddenly crashed and exploded upon takeoff after picking up live fish products.

The bodies of the pilot and co-pilot were recovered at around 3 p.m. during a search and retrieval operation. The airport's runway operations were temporarily suspended following the crash, but resumed later.