1957 Cebu Douglas C-47 crash

1957 Cebu Douglas C-47 crash
Wreckage at the crash site on Mount Manunggal, Cebu
Accident
Date17 March 1957 (1957-03-17)
SummaryControlled flight into terrain due to pilot error, metal fatigue, and power failure
SiteMount Manunggal near Balamban, Cebu, Philippines
10°27′06″N 123°48′53″E / 10.45167°N 123.81472°E / 10.45167; 123.81472
Aircraft

2100925, the aircraft involved in the accident
Aircraft typeDouglas C-47 Skytrain
Aircraft nameMt. Pinatubo
OperatorPhilippine Air Force
Registration2100925
Flight originLahug Airport, Cebu City, Philippines
DestinationNichols Field, Pasay, Rizal, Philippines
Occupants26
Passengers21
Crew5
Fatalities25
Injuries1
Survivors1

On March 17, 1957, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain transport aircraft crashed on the slopes of Mount Manunggal on the island of Cebu, Philippines, killing 25 of the aircraft's 26 occupants, including the incumbent president of the Philippines, Ramon Magsaysay. Several high-ranking Philippine government officials, military officials, and journalists were also among the dead. The sole survivor was a reporter for the Philippine Herald, Nestor Mata.

At the time of his death, President Magsaysay, a Nacionalista, was widely popular and was expected to easily win re-election in the presidential elections to be held in November 1957.