Caticlan-bound Zest Air overshoots runway, no passengers hurtBY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL / Manila Bulletin / Panay News
http://www.mb.com.ph/node/204225
CATICLAN, Malay, Aklan - No one was injured when a Zest Airways plane (formerly Asian Spirit) overshot the Godofredo P. Ramos airport (Caticlan airport) runway yesterday morning.
Kalibo airport manager Engr. Percy Malonesio said all scheduled domestic flights to Caticlan airport were temporarily diverted by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to Kalibo International Airport in the capital town of Kalibo until further notice.
Zest Air flight Z2-863, piloted by Captain Bernard Hervosa and Capt. Jeffrey Lim as co-pilot, carrying 55 passengers bound to the famous island of Boracay landed safely, but, got stuck in the canal near the provincial highway, airport officials said.
CATICLAN, Malay, Aklan - No one was injured when a Zest Airways plane (formerly Asian Spirit) overshot the Godofredo P. Ramos airport (Caticlan airport) runway yesterday morning.
Kalibo airport manager Engr. Percy Malonesio said all scheduled domestic flights to Caticlan airport were temporarily diverted by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to Kalibo International Airport in the capital town of Kalibo until further notice.
Zest Air flight Z2-863, piloted by Captain Bernard Hervosa and Capt. Jeffrey Lim as co-pilot, carrying 55 passengers bound to the famous island of Boracay landed safely, but, got stuck in the canal near the provincial highway, airport officials said.
Malonesio said a CAAP investigation team would look into the Xian M60 incident en route from Manila to Caticlan when it lost control at around 7:55 a.m. Thursday on runway 24 forcing the airport authorities to temporarily shut down its operations.Tourists bound to Manila had to be transported to Kalibo International Airport, about 66 kms from Caticlan, after the Zest Air blocked the end runway of Caticlan airport, it was learned.
Last January 2009, the Zest Air Chinese-built twin turboprop Flight CK865 also landed short of the Caticlan airport runway. At least 22 passengers were taken to a hospital for treatment.
Xi’an Aircraft Company of China Aviation Industry Corporation I (AVICI) develops the turboprop aircraft. Zest Air, Asia's refreshing airline, will be adding six more M60 aircrafts to expand its network and to establish domestic hubs in the country.
Caticlan Airport, the main-jump-off point to the premier beach destination of Boracay Island, is also serving the small planes of Philippine Airlines Express, South East Airlines, Interisland Airlines and Cebu Pacific.
Xi’an Aircraft Company of China Aviation Industry Corporation I (AVICI) develops the turboprop aircraft. Zest Air, Asia's refreshing airline, will be adding six more M60 aircrafts to expand its network and to establish domestic hubs in the country.
Caticlan Airport, the main-jump-off point to the premier beach destination of Boracay Island, is also serving the small planes of Philippine Airlines Express, South East Airlines, Interisland Airlines and Cebu Pacific.
The airport has 24,658 flights last year, making it one of the top five busiest airports in the country.
How many more incidents like this do we have to wait until something gets done regarding the safety of Caticlan Airport. In the first place, this airport should have not been built. Kalibo Airport has been the province main airport and is being upgraded to international standard. Secondly, Caticlan airport is like landing on a naval air craft carrier, but without safety cable to bring the plane to a halt. If the pilot missed the landing by a short hair, the plane will clip the top of the fence bordering the street, and if he overshoot, he will get stuck on the muddy field. This airport is good for a 6 passenger or smaller private plane. Commercial plane should land in Kalibo. One hour air conditioned bus ride from Kalibo to Caticlan is not an inconvenience. Tourists' safety and lives are more important.
ReplyDeleteI would never trust riding a Made in China airplance and to add to insult, which is force to land on an airport with no room for error. I feel bad to these pilots who has to deal with outdated, non-precise control panel and instrumentations. That's what you get for what you paid for, Zest Air. If Zest Air is carrying that many passenger, why don't they just land on a bigger, safer airport.
ReplyDeleteChristine with a bad attitude like yours, your lucky you dont live in the philippines..and so are we.Dont come back
ReplyDeleteHey Christine, you are a stupid ignoramos! Don't you ever call Filipino pilots idiot. Don't you know airlines from foreign countries like Hong Kong, Korea, the Middle East, just to name a few, are recruiting pilots from the Philippines? However, if you are defending these second hand Xian Aircraft made in China, then Good Luck! Happy landing to you and I hope it's not gonna be just sliding on a rice paddy if you get my drift. I'll be happy to put you on a yellow bag and ship you back to where ever hole you came from!
ReplyDeleteChristine, are you implying that you're a pilot? Did I read it correctly? Anyway, a real pilot do not write BS like you do. Hmmm, maybe you're a pilot and has thousand of flying hours...on XBOX and PS3, that is.
ReplyDeleteYo, Christine...I think I've seen in you Kalibo Wet Market. I was buying a mango and you were in front of me buying a dozen mangoes. You were haggling the poor vendor into giving you two extra fruits while paying for 12. Is that why you're calling Kalibo ghetto because you didn't get your fruit? If you're such a high class, I saw you riding a pump along with other ordinary and tourist people instead of riding in your high life yacht. Better yet I didn't see your helicopter land in Boracay to save your precious one hour. And by the way, don't go back to Boracay. You'll just pollute the prestine water and stain the white sand of the island.
ReplyDelete