DOTr orders probe into PAL aircraft’s emergency landing in Japan

MANILA, Philippines — Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon on Thursday called for an investigation into a Philippine Airlines (PAL) aircraft’s emergency landing at Haneda Airport in Japan on Thursday due to smoke in the cabin.

PAL Flight PR102, which was en route to Los Angeles, made an emergency landing at Haneda Airport after an air conditioning unit emitted smoke.

READ: PAL plane makes emergency landing in Japan due to smoke in cabin

“Importante po talaga , lalo na sa ating mga airlines — kailangan po talaga alagaan ang safety and comfort ng mga pasahero and we will have to look at what happened there,” said Dizon in a press conference.

(It’s really important, especially for our airlines — we truly need to ensure the safety and comfort of the passengers, and we will have to look into what happened there.)

“I’ve already instructed CAAP (Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines) and the Civil Aeronautics Board to really look at what happened and see kung ano ba nangyari sa eroplano and sa actions ng PAL because of this incident,” he added.

(I’ve already instructed the CAAP and the Civil Aeronautics Board to thoroughly investigate what happened — to find out exactly what went wrong with the aircraft and assess the actions taken by PAL in response to the incident.)

Dizon said passengers of the said flight have already been deplaned, with PAL already searching for other flights to bring them to Los Angeles.

Dizon also expressed his gratitude to the Embassy of Japan for its support in assisting the passengers and for granting shore passes to those without visas, allowing them to rest and relax.

He also reminded PAL to ensure the safety of its passengers.

In a separate statement on Thursday afternoon, the Department of Transportation said the CAAP and the Civil Aeronautics Board were ordered to issue a show cause order against PAL to explain what happened to Flight PR102.

“Upon landing, it was noted that no ground personnel or transport support were available to assist the passengers,” the order from the aeronautics board read.

“As you are aware, under the Air Passenger Bill of Rights (APBR), passengers are entitled to timely assistance, accommodation, and information during delays, cancellations, and diversions. Furthermore, existing advisories issued by this Office require airlines to ensure that adequate ground handling support is in place to adequately assist passengers in cases of flight disruptions,” it added.

PAL was ordered to submit their comment no later than 4 p.m.