MINOR INCIDENT. A light lift aircraft of the Philippine Air Force, such as the one in this undated photo, veered off from the runway at the Puerto Princesa airport on Saturday (Dec. 9, 2023). The crew was unharmed and the plane was undamaged. (Photo courtesy of PAF)
PUERTO PRINCESA, Palawan – A light cargo aircraft of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) veered off the Puerto Princesa airport runway and skidded into the adjacent grassy area on Saturday morning.
Brig. Gen. Erick Escarcha, wing commander of the Tactical Operations Wing West, told reporters that the “minor incident” happened at about 9:30 a.m.
"It's a minor incident – the aircraft skidded towards the grassy portion. The pilots also quickly conducted precautionary measures. They shut down the aircraft and no properties were damaged. It's like the airplane just went out onto the sidewalk of the road," Escarcha said.
He said the aircraft had no civilian passengers, just its two pilots and three crewmembers, all of whom were unharmed.
Escarcha said the versatile NC212i light lift aircraft is used for a range of air operations, such as troop and cargo transport, search and rescue, medical evacuation, and maritime patrols.
Notably, it can operate on unpaved runways, he added.
The aircraft is stationed at the Antonio Bautista Air Base and remains fully operational, Escarcha said. (PNA)
