The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has ordered the immediate grounding of all flight operations at Woodland Airpark following a fatal ultralight aircraft crash in Concepcion, Tarlac, which tragically resulted in two fatalities on Saturday, October 18, 2025.
The grounding order was issued upon the instructions of Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez, who also mandated an immediate and comprehensive safety and operations audit.
CAAP Director General Retired Lt. Gen. Raul Del Rosario stated that the audit is designed to assess the airworthiness of the ultralight aircraft involved and the airpark operator’s overall compliance with established aviation safety standards and operational guidelines.
“The safety of the flying public and the strict adherence to regulations are paramount,” said Acting Secretary Lopez. “We have instructed the CAAP team to conduct this audit swiftly and thoroughly. Any negligence or violation of safety protocols will be met with the full force of the law.”
Under the Philippine Civil Aviation Regulations (PCAR), ultralight aircraft fall under the category of Non-Certificated Type Aircraft and are strictly authorized for recreational purposes only. Their operation is severely restricted: they must only operate within their designated Flying Club Aerodrome, observe a maximum altitude of 800 feet, and must be conducted strictly under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) conditions.
The CAAP confirmed it will take appropriate and decisive action against any individual or organization found to have violated existing aviation safety laws and operational guidelines following the conclusion of the investigation and audit.
