DOTr on 'slow' aircraft recovery: It's not like towing a car
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation on Tuesday pushed back at critics of the perceived slowness in the recovery of a Chinese plane that skidded off the runway of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport last week that prompted the cancelation of around 165 international and local flights.
The Xiamen Airlines Boeing 737 landed on its second attempt before skidding onto the grass, ripping off its left engine and blocking the NAIA runway last Thursday. There was heavy rain over Manila when the incident happened.
The 157 passengers and eight crew aboard were able to disembark without suffering any major injuries. The plane was removed from the muddy spot where it had been stuck for more than a day, officials said, allowing normal operations to resume on Saturday.
In a statement, the DOTr said recovering a disabled aircraft is “far different from towing a bus or a car.”
“In the case of the recent Xiamen incident, please note that in addition to its size and weight, there were also four tons of unused fuel at the wings that are highly combustible, necessitating extra care to avoid fire or explosion. Apart from passengers, we also think about the safety of the rescuers,” it said.
“All procedures as written in our airport emergency plan on aircraft recovery were followed. Unfortunately, the aircraft straddled on very muddy terrain. Adding to the struggle is the uncooperative weather condition—strong winds, and heavy rains,” it added.
“Habang ang ilan, abala sa pagpuna, kami, abala sa pagta-trabaho (while others are busy criticizing, we are busy working),” the DOTr, which has been praised but also criticized for its statements on social media, said.
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The Manila International Airport Authority will charge Xiamen Airlines at least P15 million for the removal of its damaged plane from the main runway NAIA last week.
Congressional probes into the mishap have been sought. — Ian Nicolas Cigaral with AFP
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