‘Bird strike’ stops PAL’s Davao-Manila flight

A Philippine Airlines (PAL) plane bound for Manila was stopped by a “bird strike” as it was taking off from the Davao airport on Wednesday.

PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna denied reports that one of the plane engines exploded.

“There is no truth to reports circulating that a PAL aircraft’s engine exploded as it was departing from Davao,” she told GMA News Online.

The bird strike happened while the plane was taking off at 10 past 1:00 p.m.

“This is what happened: PR 814 Davao-Manila pushed back from its parking bay at 1:10 p.m. It taxied towards the main runway then, after, executed a takeoff roll on the main runway, but midway experienced a bird strike,” Villaluna said.

“The pilot halted the flight, thus preventing takeoff and returned the plane to ramp at 1:34 p.m.,” she added.

Passengers were given assistance and their flights were rebooked.

“Our pilots are trained to respond accordingly and, in this case, the decision was to halt the flight and return to ramp,” she said.

“All passengers were assisted in ... rebooking ... their flights. Foods and drinks were provided. No one was hurt,” she elaborated. —VDS, GMA News