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Friday, February 16, 2007
PAL plane bound for Davao experiences engine trouble
By Nelson C. Bagaforo and Carlo P. Mallo
DAVAO CITY -- A Philippine Airlines (PAL) aircraft bound for Davao City experienced engine trouble Thursday morning before it was to take off from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, delaying the flight for hours.
Also Thursday, another PAL aircraft overshot a runway while landing in Tacloban City, but there were no injuries, the airline's spokesman said.
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The Davao City-bound plane from Manila, as reported by one of the passengers who refused to be named, developed engine trouble and smoke was seen emanating from the Airbus A340 that carried 42 Mabuhay passengers, 260 Economy passengers and five crewmembers.
The source said they boarded another aircraft for Davao City after hours of delay.
In a telephone interview with Sun.Star Thursday, Punay Fernandez, supervisor of PAL Airport Office, confirmed that the incident did happen.
He said the aircraft was returned to the Manila Domestic Airport where it underwent repair. It was later cleared as safe for take-off.
In the afternoon, the same aircraft failed to take off from the Davao City International Airport after it encountered trouble with its steering wheel.
The flight was about to depart at 1:15 p.m. for Manila. As of Thursday afternoon, the aircraft was still grounded at the Davao City airport.
At around 6 p.m. Thursday, sources at the airport said they were still waiting for the arrival of another PAL flight from Manila that carried some parts needed for the repair of the grounded aircraft.
PAL-Davao already requested for an aircraft replacement from its Manila office, but had not received a response yet. The last flight of PAL bound for Manila on Thursday night was delayed.
In Tacloban City, the Airbus A320 was trying to land at the domestic airport when it overshot the runway, spokesman Rolly Estabillo told radio dzRH.
He said none of the 113 passengers and six crewmembers were hurt.
"The airplane is still on the runway. We have to do something to remove the plane. This will result in delayed flights," Estabillo said.
"We still don't know why the plane overshot the runway," he said. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro. (February 16, 2007 issue)
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