- A PAL plane bound for Cebu makes an emergency landing shortly after takeoff
- The pilot said smoke was detected in the cabin and cockpit
- Airport firefighters inspected the plane after it landed
- The cause of the smoke is still undetermined
A Philippine Airlines flight carrying 254 passengers made an emergency landing at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport shortly after takeoff on Saturday, March 19.
The Cebu-bound PAL flight 1857 was already airborne for about 10 minutes when its pilot, Capt. Nicomedes Garcia, declared an emergency and requested to land back. DZRH News said that according to Capt. Garcia smoke coming from the cabin and cockpit was detected.
One of the passengers, journalist Nestor Abrematea, said he and some others smelled smoke after the plane took off at 2:30 p.m. but did not see any in the cabin. He said the passengers got scared when the pilot announced they are heading back to NAIA.
Capt. Garcia said that the “turn around” was part of their standard safety protocol.
Eric Apolonio of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said the plane landed safely and none of the 254 people onboard suffered injuries.
After the passengers have disembarked, firefighters from the airport conducted a thorough inspection of the Airbus A340 aircraft.
The cause of the smoke is still undetermined.
The passengers of flight PR 1857 were flown to Cebu later in the afternoon.
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