Light cargo plane collapses on NAIA runway

A two-seater light aircraft's main landing gear collapsed at the middle of runway 06 shortly after touch down at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Saturday. The mishap caused the temporary closure of the runway for several minutes, according to the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA). Four international flights consisting of Cathay Pacific Air CX-901 from Hong Kong, Asiana Airlines OZ-701 from Seoul, Gulf Air GF-154 and Eva Air BR-271 from Taiwan have been delayed for several minutes of their landing, while Korean Airlines flight KE-621 was forced to divert to Clark. Flight operations at the NAIA runway resumed at 11:27 a.m., airport officials said. Alvin Candelaria of MIAA-Airport Ground Operations Division, said the Piper Aztec plane reportedly owned by Royal Aircargo with registry number RP-C281, and was loaded with live and fresh fish cargo from Puerto Princesa, Palawan, was able to land at the NAIA runway 06 when its nose landing gear suddenly collapsed, then slid and came to rest to the middle of runway 06. The two pilots identified as Capt. Jun R. Sanchez and First Officer Joramel Bautista escaped injury, however, a member of the MIAA rescue and fire division Emer Tablante was rushed to the San Juan De Dios Hospital after he was injured while supporting the lifting of the aircraft from removing the runway. — B.L. Vergara/ELR, GMA News