A De Havilland Dash 8 turboprop. (Photo courtesy of PAL)
MANILA – All 82 passengers and four crew members of a Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight en route to Dumaguete from Manila are safe after the aircraft experienced a "technical problem," spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said Monday afternoon.
In a message, Villaluna said the "technical problem" resulted in smoke venting into the cabin after takeoff at 1:54 p.m., prompting the crew to return to Manila for precautionary landing. The aircraft returned to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 2:10 p.m.
The flight PR2543 bound for Dumaguete was using a De Havilland Dash 8 turboprop operated by PAL Express with registry number RP-C5906.
The carrier's operations teams have arranged for a replacement flight to Dumaguete, which Villaluna said took off at 4:16 p.m., carrying 63 of the 82 passengers who chose to proceed with their trip.
"We affirm that safety is our top priority and that PAL is fully cooperating with the concerned airport and aviation authorities," she said. (PNA)
