The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), upon the directive of Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez, has grounded the entire operations of Woodland Airpark following the fatal crash of an ultralight aircraft in Barangay Panalicsican, Concepcion, Tarlac, before noon on Saturday, 18 October 2025. The incident claimed the lives of two individuals — a male and a female — on board the ill-fated aircraft.
CAAP Director General Lt. Gen. Raul Del Rosario (Ret.) confirmed that Secretary Lopez also ordered an immediate safety and operations audit to assess the airworthiness of the aircraft involved and to evaluate Woodland Airpark’s compliance with existing aviation safety standards. The move is part of the agency’s broader effort to ensure that recreational and ultralight aircraft operators strictly adhere to safety regulations under the Philippine Civil Aviation Regulations (PCAR).
Initial reports revealed that the aircraft, bearing registration number RP-S2772, had departed from Woodland Airpark’s base in Magalang, Pampanga. At around 1100H, the ultralight crashed in a rice field in Concepcion, Tarlac, resulting in total wreckage of the aircraft and the deaths of both occupants.
Under the PCAR, ultralight aircraft fall under the category of “Non-Certificated Type Aircraft” and are permitted only for recreational flying. Such aircraft are restricted to operations within their designated Flying Club Aerodromes, limited to a maximum altitude of 800 feet, and must operate strictly under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) conditions. These limitations are in place to ensure safety in both controlled and uncontrolled airspace.
CAAP stressed that appropriate actions will be taken against any individual or organization found to have violated aviation safety laws or operational guidelines. This could include administrative sanctions, suspension of flying privileges, or revocation of permits and licenses, depending on the findings of the ongoing investigation and safety audit.
Notably, at the time of the crash, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) had issued Tropical Cyclone Bulletins, which placed parts of Central Luzon — including the eastern portions of Bulacan, Tarlac, and Pampanga — under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1. The bulletin was in effect as of 0800H and 1100H on the same day, potentially indicating unstable weather conditions in the region when the flight occurred.
Authorities are now investigating whether weather played a role in the tragic crash, alongside the operator’s compliance with established flight safety protocols. The CAAP reiterated its commitment to upholding aviation safety and ensuring accountability among all aviation stakeholders, particularly those engaged in recreational or non-commercial flying activities.
As investigations continue, Woodland Airpark’s operations will remain suspended pending the results of the safety audit and formal assessment by the CAAP and the Department of Transportation (DOTr).