AN Air Force surveillance aircraft returned to the Mactan Cebu International Airport in Lapu-Lapu City and made an emergency landing yesterday after its engine caught fire shortly after takeoff.
As a result, over 30 flights were delayed at the airport, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.
Air Force spokeswoman Col. Maria Consuelo Castillo said the five crew members of the Cessna 208B EX Grand Caravan were all “well and safe.”
Castillo said the aircraft developed an engine fire at around 2:15 a.m., a few minutes after taking off. She said the aircraft was about 2,000 feet above at that time.
Castillo said the aircraft was about to conduct an ISR or intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mission in the Visayas.
“(The aircraft) experienced engine fire shortly after takeoff and the pilots were prompted to perform immediate landing at Mactan Cebu International Airport,” said Castillo.
“The engine problem resulted in extreme difficulty in maneuvering the aircraft, but in spite of this, the pilots were able to land the aircraft, with all five aircrews onboard well and safe,” added Castillo.
Castillo said it was fortunate the pilots were able to bring the aircraft back to the airport despite difficulty in maneuvering the aircraft.
“That’s a dangerous situation, it’s fortunate they were able to maneuver the aircraft back (to the airport),” said Castillo.
Castillo said the aircraft was intact, adding the fire was confined to the engine only.
She said the aircraft is being inspected to determine the extent of the damage it sustained.
The Air Force has three Cessna 208B EX Grand Caravan in its inventory — all donated by the US government.
Two of the aircraft were transferred to the Air Force in 2017, including the one that figured in the mishap yesterday. The third was transferred just last month.
Castillo said the two other Cessna 208B EX Grand Caravan in the PAF inventory were ordered grounded “until we are able to pinpoint the cause of the incident.”
“A thorough investigation of the incident is being undertaken, and rest assured, the PAF is committed to ensuring the utmost safety of our air operations while continuously supporting the country’s security and development efforts,” said Castillo.
As of press time yesterday, CAAP spokesman Eric Apolonio said 35 flights have been delayed, 30 of them international flights.
Delayed were flights involving Asiana Airlines, Cebu Pacific Air and its unit CEBGo, Philippine AirAsia, China Eastern Airlines, Philippine Airlines, and Air Philippines.
Meanwhile, AirAsia Philippines has canceled its scheduled flights today, Thursday, for Manila-Kaohsiung-Manila due to Typhoon Jenny. — With Myla Iglesias
