MANILA, Philippines–A private plane hired by the government skidded off the runway on Saturday afternoon a few minutes after the papal plane’s takeoff at the Tacloban airport.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said in its report that the Bombardier GL50 carrying 16 persons including Cabinet secretaries was hit by a strong crosswind while taxiing for take-off at Tacloban airport past 1 p.m.
“The CAAP confirms reports that a Philippine registered Bombardier GL5T type aircraft with 19 seating capacity and with tail number RP-C9363, operated by Challenger Aero, swerved upon takeoff and rolled due to crosswind,” the report of CAAP said.
The plane slid up to 50 meters from the grassy portion of the runway.
The people on board included Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Undersecretary Emmanuel Bautista, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Undersecretary Felizardo Serapio and seven staff workers.
The ground personnel of CAAP who immediately responded to the accident said that all passengers were safe.
The aviation body said it has started investigating the accident.
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