Cargo plane crashes, bursts into flames in rice field in the Philippines; 3 missing, 3 rescued

Cargo plane crashes in the Philippines; 3 missing

MANILA, Philippines — A cargo aircraft crashed and burst into flames in a rice field north of the Philippine capital Wednesday as it attempted a landing. Three crew were missing and three pulled out alive from the burning wreckage.

The Russian-built Antonov aircraft was flying from Mactan in the central Philippines and crashed about 22 miles (35 kilometers) south of Clark airport, the former U.S. Air Base near Manila, said Alfonso Cusi, director-general of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.

Firefighters struggled into the night to put out the flames that engulfed the aircraft after it exploded on impact, said police officer Carlito Fabro.

Villagers managed to rescue three crew members — two Russians and an Uzbek. Two other Russians and a Bulgarian were missing.

The Antonov 12 plane was leased by a Manila-based airline company for domestic use, Cusi said. Clark’s tower lost communication with the aircraft at about 8:50 p.m. (1350 GMT).