By Ariel Fernandez
Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines ( CAAP) Aircraft Accident Investigation Inquiry Board (AAIIB) investigators were dispatched early Saturday morning to determine why a Jetstar Japan aircraft drifted from the runway and made a stop at a grassy portion of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
CAAP Spokesperson Eric Apolonio said the incident happened at 3:43 a.m. as an Airbus 320 Jetstar Japan aircraft, flight JJP40, was departing for Narita.
According to him, the aircraft “experienced runway 13/31 excursion upon making 180 degrees turn for departure at time 2:35 a.m. while taxing via taxiway F1.”
Apolonio reported that the aircraft “shot stuck at the grassy portion” of the runway.
He also said “all passengers and crew are safe”.
Two flights were affected because of the incident with Cebu Pacific flight 5J580 from Cebu to Manila being diverted to Clark International Airport, and Air Asia Flight Z2 889 from Seoul being instructed to land on runway 06/24 instead.
Operations on runway 13/31 resumed normal operations at around 11 a.m. Runways 6 and 13 are now in use. CAAP will make an announcement on flight cancellations lateron.