By Azer N. Parrocha
MANILA, Sept. 11 (PNA) — A Philippine Airlines (PAL) plane made an emergency landing at the Davao International Airport allegedly after a smoke came out of its cargo compartment Friday afternoon, airport authorities said.
Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) spokesperson Eric Apolonio, in a statement, said that all the passengers were safe and were on standby at the Davao airport, except for one who collapsed out of anxiety.
Initial information showed that PAL flight PR1814 had to make an emergency landing after smoke came out from the plane’s cargo compartment.
The plane carried 104 passengers, including Dr. Elenita Binay, wife of Vice President Jejomar Binay, Las Piñas Representative and son of Senator Cynthia Villar, Mark Villar; and Sultan Kudarat 1st District Representative Pax Mangudadatu, and six crew members.
The plane departed Davao International Airport at 1:03 p.m. Friday and was on its way to Manila when the plane’s pilot requested to return to Davao at 1:15 p.m. as part of safety procedure, CAAP said.
It later made an emergency landing in Davao at 1:35 p.m.
CAAP said that fire marshall later reported that there was no smoke detected on the plane.
The plane is currently in an isolated remote parking area for assessment.
PAL has yet to release a statement on the incident. (PNA)