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Xiamen flight hard lands at NAIA, airline companies announce some flights canceled and diverted


A few minutes before midnight, amid a downpour, Xiamen Air Flight MF8667 skidded off the runway at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Vonne Aquino reported on Unang Balita.

Rescuers gather near the tail of a Xiamen Airlines Boeing 737-800 after it overshot the runway at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Parañaque City early Friday morning, August 17, 2018. Reuters/Erik De Castro
Rescuers gather near the tail of a Xiamen Airlines Boeing 737-800 after it overshot the runway at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Parañaque City early Friday morning, August 17, 2018. Reuters/Erik De Castro

Based on information provided by the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), all 157 passengers and 8 crew members are safe.

Personnel from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Aircraft Accident Investigating Bureau are at the accident area to start the probe on the incident.

The passengers were led out of the plane with the use of an emergency chute and brought to the NAIA Terminal 1 where they were given food and blankets.

The passengers are now billeted at a nearby hotel.

MIAA General Manager Ed Monreal and CAAP Director General Jim Sydiongco coordinated with Xiamen Airline officials as they supervised the recovery and clearing operations.

CAAP Spokesperson Eric Apolonio said Friday that flight MF8667 will remain on the main runway of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) until the probe is concluded.

"May procedure ho 'yan eh. Kumbaga, SOCO 'yan, hindi pwedeng basta hilahin 'yan dahil kailangan ng imbestigador mo na makita yung naging cause nung insidente," Apolonio said on Dobol B sa News TV.

"Ike-clear ho yung runway dun sa tinatawag nating foreign objects o debris para maging safe sa landing at touchdown ng susunod na eroplano na lilipad after we declare it operational," he continued.

CAAP will look at data on the plane's flight data recorder and the body of the plane, which skidded along the runway while taxiing or rolling after landing.

Airport officials earlier said the NAIA International Runway 06/24 may be reopened by noontime on Friday. However, they later on said that at a delay may be necessary as the foul weather made the ground too soft to extricate the affected plane.

The airline companies have been informed of the runway closure and passengers who will be affected were advised to coordinate with their respective airlines.

Flights cancelled, diverted

Meanwhile, several airlines announced some flight cancellations while other flights would be diverted to the Clark International Airport.

Cebu Pacific said passengers on the diverted flights will be taken by bus to Manila.

"The closure of the main NAIA runway will affect operations of our large wide-body aircraft. Our operations will be disrupted today and may cause severe delay of other flights," the company said.

"We will provide regular updates on our flight schedules today. Our priority is to ensure the safety of our passengers and to manage the flight disruptions." — with Rie Takumi/BAP, GMA News

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