Seair plane overshoots Kalibo airport runway

MANILA, Philippines - The Kalibo International Airport in Aklan was temporarily closed yesterday after a Singapore-bound Seair plane overshot the runway while preparing for take-off.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) ordered an investigation of the incident, which resulted in the shutdown of airport operations for four hours.

Airport manager Percy Malonesio said the passengers were safe as they were immediately helped off  Seair flight DG 8802 to the terminal.

John Andrews, deputy director general of CAAP, dispatched the Aircraft Accident Investigation and Inquiry Board team to Kalibo to investigate the incident, which occurred at past 8 a.m.

At around noon, CAAP issued a Notice to Airman (NOTAM), suspending incoming flights until 5 p.m. yesterday.

A report from CAAP Operations and Rescue Coordination Center said the aircraft was supposed to depart from Kalibo for Singapore when its front wheel got stuck in the soft ground beside the runway and got stalled while making a 180-degree turn at the end of the runway.

The CAAP lifted the NOTAM at 2 p.m. allowing the landing and takeoff after the runway was cleared of the stalled aircraft.

About 12 flights were affected as of noon, including flights of Cebu Pacific, ZestAir, Philippine Airlines and PAL Express Manila.

Bert Yap, vice president for commercial operations of Tiger Airways, which owns Seair, said the airline has grounded the pilot and the first officer of  Seair flight DG 8802.

He said all the 50 passengers, mostly Singaporeans, were safe and were billeted in a hotel while waiting for another flight.