Smoke from cargo compartment halts plane takeoff in Davao

TAGUM CITY—A Philippine Airlines plane bound for Manila was unable to take off from the Davao International Airport on Friday after smoke was observed in the aircraft, police said.

Supt. Antonio Rivera, Southern Mindanao police regional office spokesperson said the plane (PR-1814) carrying 128 passengers was taking off from F. Bangoy International Airport around 1:30 p.m. but the pilots aborted takeoff after smoke from its cargo compartment area was observed.

Quoting a report from the Aviation Security Unit (AVSEU) 11, Rivera told the Inquirer by phone that the plane instead taxied and parked at the old airport, which faces the FBIA.

“A fire truck from Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) immediately responded to the scene and a medical team was sent to check on the status of 128 passengers on board,” Rivera said, adding authorities were now conducting an investigation. Frinston L. Lim, Inquirer Mindanao