Philippine Airlines plane turns back after smoke seen in cabin

MANILA — A Philippine Airlines plane en route to Haneda airport in Tokyo returned to Manila’s airport 20 minutes into its flight on Monday (Sept 26) after the crew detected smoke in the cabin. The plane with 235 people on board landed safely and there were no reports of injury.

Firefighters and rescue teams were dispatched but the plane landed without incident.

Airline spokeswoman Cielo Villaluna said the A340-300 aircraft with 222 passengers and 13 crew members returned “due to a technical concern”. There was no panic and the passengers all disembarked safely, said the airline.

Ms Villaluna said the plane is being examined to determine why it had to turn back and the cause of the smoke was not known.

Passengers will continue with their journey on Monday afternoon on a replacement flight, she added.

“Apparently there was information that the pilot detected smoke in the cabin. So as part of safety measures, the pilot had to return to the ground,” said Eric Apolonio, spokesman for the civil aviation authority.

Last week, a Saudi Arabian Airlines pilot mistakenly pressed a hijack warning button on a flight approaching Manila’s airport, where officials mobilised commando forces and isolated the jet after it landed.

The pilot confirmed to the airport tower that he pressed the distress button but did not say until the plane was parked that it was a mistake, the airport’s aviation security chief Mao Aplasca said. AGENCIES