NAIA's runway 13-31 closed after minor mishap
Published Dec 14, 2019 12:00 am
By Ariel Fernandez
The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) runway 13-31 was closed for operations early today after an Airbus A320 jet with 140 passengers and crew on board made an excursion towards the Runway Safety Area (RSA - grassy area) while positioning for takeoff.
The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) runway 13-31 was closed for operations early today after an Airbus A320 jet with 140 passengers and crew on board made an excursion towards the Runway Safety Area (RSA - grassy area) while positioning for takeoff. (MIAA Photo via Ariel Fernandez / MANILA BULLETIN)
All 140 passengers, including one infant, and crew deplaned safely and were brought back to NAIA Terminal 1 by shuttle buses.
Runway 13/31 runs perpendicular to the longer and more often used runway 06/26, or the takeoff/landing area stretching east to west of the airport.
According to reports, Jetstar Asia flight GK40 from Manila to Narita, Japan, was pushed back from the NAIA Terminal 1 at 2:08 a.m. and was headed for Runway 13 for takeoff. While positioning for takeoff, the aircraft overshot the turn causing the front and right landing gears to veer towards the RSA with the front gears sinking into the soft ground.
Based on initial reports, the incident occurred at 2:32 a.m. The MIAA Fire and Rescue and Operations teams immediately proceeded to the site to assist the passengers and crew. With the disabled aircraft blocking parts of the runway, Runway 13-31 has been closed for operations with the affected flights using the main runway, Runway 06-24 for the meantime.
Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Ed Monreal and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Director General Jim Sydiongco are now on-site personally overseeing aircraft removal operations.
“As of this time, the aircraft is now out of the grassy area and being prepared for towing to a nearby aircraft maintenance center.
“Simultaneous clearing of the runway and repair of damaged runway lights are now in progress. We hope to resume operations soon,” Monreal added.
The CAAP also issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) stating that Runway 13-31 was closed for aircraft operations due to a stalled aircraft. The CAAP’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Inquiry Board (AAIIB) is also on-site to determine the cause of the incident.
At the time of the incident, three Manila-bound flights were diverted to the Clark International Airport in Pampanga.
These were Cebu Pacific flight 5J269 from Xiamen, Cebu Pacific flight 5J580 from Cebu, and Air Asia flight Z2889 from Seoul. All three flights are now in Manila.
Flight operations in NAIA continue notwithstanding the temporary closure of Runway 13/31 to flight movements.
As of 10 a.m., a total of 11 flights were delayed due to the incident.
Monreal warned airline operators not to take advantage of the situation to unnecessarily cancel flights causing inconvenience to passengers in the process.
Read more: (ADVISORY) Cancelled flights due to minor runway mishap at NAIA (Dec. 14,2019)
The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) runway 13-31 was closed for operations early today after an Airbus A320 jet with 140 passengers and crew on board made an excursion towards the Runway Safety Area (RSA - grassy area) while positioning for takeoff. (MIAA Photo via Ariel Fernandez / MANILA BULLETIN)
All 140 passengers, including one infant, and crew deplaned safely and were brought back to NAIA Terminal 1 by shuttle buses.
Runway 13/31 runs perpendicular to the longer and more often used runway 06/26, or the takeoff/landing area stretching east to west of the airport.
According to reports, Jetstar Asia flight GK40 from Manila to Narita, Japan, was pushed back from the NAIA Terminal 1 at 2:08 a.m. and was headed for Runway 13 for takeoff. While positioning for takeoff, the aircraft overshot the turn causing the front and right landing gears to veer towards the RSA with the front gears sinking into the soft ground.
Based on initial reports, the incident occurred at 2:32 a.m. The MIAA Fire and Rescue and Operations teams immediately proceeded to the site to assist the passengers and crew. With the disabled aircraft blocking parts of the runway, Runway 13-31 has been closed for operations with the affected flights using the main runway, Runway 06-24 for the meantime.
Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Ed Monreal and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Director General Jim Sydiongco are now on-site personally overseeing aircraft removal operations.
“As of this time, the aircraft is now out of the grassy area and being prepared for towing to a nearby aircraft maintenance center.
“Simultaneous clearing of the runway and repair of damaged runway lights are now in progress. We hope to resume operations soon,” Monreal added.
The CAAP also issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) stating that Runway 13-31 was closed for aircraft operations due to a stalled aircraft. The CAAP’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Inquiry Board (AAIIB) is also on-site to determine the cause of the incident.
At the time of the incident, three Manila-bound flights were diverted to the Clark International Airport in Pampanga.
These were Cebu Pacific flight 5J269 from Xiamen, Cebu Pacific flight 5J580 from Cebu, and Air Asia flight Z2889 from Seoul. All three flights are now in Manila.
Flight operations in NAIA continue notwithstanding the temporary closure of Runway 13/31 to flight movements.
As of 10 a.m., a total of 11 flights were delayed due to the incident.
Monreal warned airline operators not to take advantage of the situation to unnecessarily cancel flights causing inconvenience to passengers in the process.
Read more: (ADVISORY) Cancelled flights due to minor runway mishap at NAIA (Dec. 14,2019)