ZAMBOANGA CITY – A Cebu Pacific flight which took off for Tawi-Tawi province on Sunday, June 29, returned to the Zamboanga International Airport (ZIA) here seconds after takeoff due to unsettling mechanical sounds heard by passengers on board the aircraft.
Passengers reported hearing loud banging sounds thrice while the aircraft was making its ascent.
The plane captain announced that they were experiencing technical issues and that they were heading back to ZIA.
VIEW from the window seat of Cebu Pacific flight 5J4965 that went viral after the airplane experienced technical issues on the way to Tawi-Tawi from Zamboanga City. (CTTO)
The plane landed safely with 200 passengers and crew on board.
Passengers were greeted by airport personnel who provided assistance and information regarding the incident.
Information from a flight tracking website stated that the flight, 5J4965, departed at 11:46 a.m. and was diverted and landed at 12:28 p.m.
Passengers were rebooked on a recovery flight to Tawi-Tawi while investigation is ongoing to determine the source of the alarming sounds.