ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines— An Air Philippines flight to Tawi-Tawi was aborted on Monday morning as smoke emitted from the right engine of the plane, an official said.
Celso Bayabos, manager of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines in Zamboanga, said the plane was about to take off when pilots noticed the smoke prompting them to park and order around 50 passengers to disembark shortly after 7:00 in the morning.
“It’s not really fire, there was smoke. It’s good that pilots noticed it before they take off otherwise (it would be) another disaster,” Bayabos said.
Other flights supposedly about to land at Zamboanga City international airport like Cebu Pacific from Davao city and Manila were advised to redirect their flights back.
Fire marshalls and other airport personnel immediately towed the aircraft back to the taxi area to determine the actual cause of engine trouble.