CAAP: No power interruption prior to Cebu Pacific plane's emergency landing

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) denied statements that a power interruption caused Sunday's emergency landing of a Cebu Pacific aircraft at the Davao International Airport.

This was according to GMA News' Davao anchor Tek Ocampo's report on “News To Go,” citing information from Davao airport general manager Frederick San Felix.

Ocampo, however, said a few residents living near the airport claimed that as the aircraft descended, a sudden power interruption occurred and they saw that the runway was dark.

The residents then heard a loud crashing sound coming from the airport, he added.

Ocampo said Davao Light & Power Co. has yet to issue a statement regarding the matter.

Flight data recorder

Meanwhile, according to GMA News' Mav Gonzales' separate report on "News To Go," the flight data recorder of the aircraft is set to be evaluated as part of the ongoing investigation.

The flight data recorder will determine the transmission between the pilot and the control tower, and engine indications, CAAP deputy director general and acting spokesman Rodante Joya told GMA News Online.

The “News To Go” report said based on CAAP's initial investigation, the emergency landing of Flight 5J-971 was likely caused by human error.

The two landing gears of the aircraft were functioning properly prior to the incident, it added.

"As of now, we can make an educated guess that this particular flight was similar to the accident that Cebu Pacific had some time in 2011," said Capt. John Andrews, CAAP deputy director.

"Conditions were some what similar, and there was a cross wind factor,” he added. — Amanda Fernandez/KBK, GMA News