ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – An AirPhil express passenger plane caught fire while preparing for takeoff at the Zamboanga International Airport (ZIA) yesterday morning.
Celso Bayabos, Zamboanga airport manager, said no one was hurt from the 43 passengers, two stewardess and two pilots of the 70-seat plane. The plane was bound for Sanga-Sanga, Tawi-Tawi .
“The pilot reported to the control tower that smoke was coming from the right engine while they were preparing for takeoff,” Bayabos said.
Firefighters of the 3rd Air Division of the Philippine Air Force immediately deployed its fire trucks and assisted the passengers as they disembarked.