Saudi plane false hijack alarm probed

MANILA, Philippines – The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is investigating the false hijacking of a Saudi Arabian plane prior to its landing at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Tuesday afternoon.

Four cockpit and 17 crew of Saudia Airlines flight SV 872 underwent behavioral and tactical questioning by airport authorities, Manila International Airport Authority general manager Ed Monreal said.

Monreal said the pilot and crew were isolated at Gate 16 of the NAIA Terminal 1 for investigation.

Monreal said the questioning sought to get each crew’s personal account of the incident and determine lapses in basic airline protocol in handling similar situations.

The plane carrying 413 passengers touched down at the NAIA Terminal 1 at around 3 p.m.

Reports said that a cockpit crew member was seen shouting at uniformed airport security officers and preventing them from taking videos or photos of the incident.

The plane was placed in isolation at Runway 06 of the NAIA Terminal 1 after its pilot activated by mistake a distress signal, which alerted air traffic controllers that the aircraft was under threat.

The incident prompted airport officials to convene a crisis management team.

The crew of the plane informed authorities upon landing that the distress call was a mistake.