NAKALIGTAS ang limang sakay ng Philippine Air Force Cessna 208B EX Grand Caravan aircraft nang mag-emergency landing ito kahapon ng madaling araw sa Mactan Cebu International Airport matapos na magliyab ang makina nito.
Ayon sa inisyal report na ibinahagi ni PAF Spokesperson Col Ma. Consuelo Castillo, nagawang maibalik at mailapag agad ng piloto ang Cessna 208B para makaiwas sa mas malaking pinsala at mailigtas ang mga sakay nito, matapos na mapunang may sunog sa kanyang turboprop engine.
Bandang alas-2:15 kahapon ng madaling araw ay ligtas na namaniobra ng piloto ang eroplano pabalik ng Mactan Cebu international Airport para sa isang Aircraft Emergency Landing I.
Sinasabing naramdaman ng piloto ng Cessna 208B EX Grand Caravan aircraft ng PAF na may engine fire ilang minuto matapos na magtake-off ito kaya mabilis na nagsagawa ito ng immediate emergency landing sa Mactan Cebu International Airport.
“The engine problem resulted in extreme difficulty in maneuvering the aircraft, but in spite of this, the pilots were able to land the aircraft , with all five (5) aircrew onboard well and safe,” ani Col Castillo.
Kasalukuyang sinisiyasat ng pamunuan ng PAF ang insidente at ang lawak ng naging pinsala nito sa nasabing aircraft na kabilang sa unang batch ng C208B na dineliver noong 2017.
“A thorough investigation of the incident is being undertaken, and rest assured, the PAF is committed to ensuring the utmost safety of our air operations while continuously supporting the country’s security and development efforts,” dagdag pa ng tagpagsalita.
