Emergency landing
Mrs Binay, Rep. Villar among passsengers of PR 1814
OPERATIONS at the Davao International Airport ground to a halt yesterday afternoon for two hours after Philippine Airlines (PAL) PR 1814 had to go back on an emergency landing when smoke was detected at the aircraft’s rear cargo compartment.
The aircraft, a 199seater Airbus A321-231, departed from Davao City at around 1:07 p.m. but was allowed to land back again at around 1:33 p.m.
In the official statement furnished by PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna to Sun.Star Davao yesterday afternoon, the flight crew detected the smoke at the rear cargo compartment of the aircraft, prompting them to carry out the required emergency procedures.
A total of 131 passsengers, including 11 at
business class, were on board in the aircraft.
Villaluna said that all passengers disembarked from the plane without any injury.
Passengers were immediately assisted by the 911 paramedics and personnel from the Urban and Search and Rescue (USAR) team.
SHAKEN
Passenger Edna Oquiton, 36, who is bound for Hongkong, said they thought the plane would crash.
“Grabe yung experience kala namin ito na yung katapusan ng buhay namin. Mapalad pa rin ako, kaya patuloy ang pakikipagsapalaran sa buhay,” Oquiton said.
Joselyn Almasin, 37, who hails from Digos, said that she cried after they were informed on the situation that developed at the rear part of the aircraft’s compartment.
“Umiyak na ako, hindi ko na alam ang gagawin. Kaya ngayon tulala pa rin. Alam na ng amo ko sa Hongkong na ma-delay ang flight ko,” Almasin said.
All affected passengers were brought to the F. Bangoy International Airport to be accommodated for next available flights for Manila.
The aircraft is presently parked at the old terminal for technical evaluation, assessment, and further investigation.
EMERGENCY CREW
Firefighter Paterno Belinio, personnel of Davao Airport Fire Station, said that their team of firefighters was immediately dispatched after the tower received the advisory for an emergency landing.
“Nagstandby na agad kami sa runway while naghihintay sa aircraft. Pag-touchdown ng aircraft, agad namin isinagawa ang aming emergency measures,” Belinio told Sun.Star Davao in a phone interview yesterday afternoon.
Belinio said they checked and observed the baggages inside the compartment where the smoke was allegedly detected.
“May order agad ang tower na itaxi yung aircraft papunta sa old airport na ramp at doon ibinaba ang pasahero at mga bagahe,” Belinio said.
“Ininspect din ng K9 yung mga bagahe pero negative talaga,” he added.
INCOVENIENCE
The normal operation on the runway resumed at around 3:30 p.m. where another PAL aircraft was allowed to depart for Manila.
Among the personalities on board the aircraft were Dr. Elenita Binay, wife of Vice President Jejomar Binay, Representative Mark Villar, son of Senator Cynthia Villar, Sultan Kudarat 1st District Rep. Pax Mangudadatu, and Surigao Rep. Prospero Pichay.
Villaluna said that some of the passengers from the affected flight has been accommodated already in its last two flights yesterdat.
“Those who cannot be accommodated will receive hotel accommodation as well as food,” Villaluna said.
Tactical investigation on the aircraft is ongoing to check what really happened.