Japan-bound plane forced back to Naia by smoke in cockpit

MANILA, Philippines–An All Nippon Airways  plane bound for Japan turned back for an emergency landing at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Friday after the crew detected smoke in the cockpit shortly after the plane had taken off from Manila, aviation officials said.

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said the pilots of Flight NH950 radioed the Manila Control Tower to request assistance for an emergency landing after members of the cabin crew saw smoke coming out of the cockpit at 9:45 a.m., 17 minutes after the plane had taken off from Naia at 9:28 a.m.

The plane, a Boeing B767, landed safely at the Manila runway at 10:19 a.m., and all 174 people aboard, including an infant and the plane’s crew, were safe, officials said.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said in a press statement that it immediately dispatched two aircraft accident investigators determine what caused the emergency.

The aircraft was still parked at the Naia Terminal 3’s Bay 113 as of 3 p.m. while airline personnel awaited a certification from the CAAP for it to fly again.

The Narita-bound flight would be delayed until such time a replacement aircraft arrives in Manila, CAAP said.

An initial report from CAAP said that the plane was five miles into the air when the smoke was detected, prompting the pilots to alert the Manila Tower for an emergency landing.

Last Friday, a Manila-bound plane of the Philippine Airlines from Nagoya, Japan, requested for an emergency landing at the Naia after one of its engines malfunctioned.

The plane landed safely and all 160 people aboard were safe.

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