Cebu Pacific flight makes emergency landing in Zamboanga City
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — A Cebu Pacific flight to Tawi-Tawi was forced to turn back and make an emergency landing at the Zamboanga International Aiport shortly after taking off yesterday noon.
Some passengers and witnesses said three loud explosions were heard from the engine seconds after the plane took off.
Passenger Kakasi Doc K said on his Facebook account that Cebu Pacific Flight 5J 4965 departed Zamboanga at 11:50 a.m. yesterday with 200 passengers.
However, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said the flight had 155 passengers, excluding two children and crew.
The passenger said the plane’s captain announced later that the plane would immediately return to the airport due to “technical issues.”
Some residents near the airport said they saw smoke from the plane as it was making the emergency landing.
Roderick Tugade, acting CAAP manager, said they are coordinating with Cebu Pacific to determine the cause of the plane’s malfunction.
Cebu Pacific said a recovery flight was dispatched and flew the stranded passengers at 3:46 p.m. yesterday. The airline apologized “for the inconvenience,” adding that it is prioritizing safety among its passengers.
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