Vintage plane loses wheel in takeoff

MANILA, Philippines - A vintage plane bound for Busuanga, Palawan lost its right wheel as it took off at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) yesterday.

The twin-engine, Beechcraft C-45 plane – built between 1937 and 1970 – is one of the oldest airplanes still flying Philippine skies. The pilot, Capt. Sherwin Rala, was supposed to go pick up the day’s cargo of live tropical fish for export to Hong Kong and Taiwan.

After taking off at around 12:32 p.m. yesterday, Rala returned to NAIA and landed the plane safely at around 2:24 p.m. Officials said there are no emergency facilities in Busuanga.