Saudi airlines crew accidentally trigger plane’s distress call
- 8 years ago
MANILA — Filipino commandos got triggered into action this week by mistake after a Saudia airlines gaffe at Manila airport.
According to an Associated Press report, crew on board a Saudi Arabian Airlines flight made a hijack distress call around 30 miles from Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Tuesday.
The crew confirmed the call twice, airport manager Eddie Monreal said, but the aircraft’s captain later confirmed to the control tower that the button was pushed accidentally.
The plane was taken to an isolated location after landing and checked, Monreal said, adding that security forces were sent in as a precautionary measure.
“It is fortunate that upon landing ... the crew said they made a mistake,” Monreal is quoted as saying in an ITV report.
“However, we can never play around with safety and security. It (the button) was unintentionally pushed. But the problem is it was pushed twice.”
The plane was carrying 410 passengers and 21 crew.
Officials from the Philippines’ Civil Aviation Authority are investigating the incident and may impose “penalties or sanction” if the pilot is found to be at fault.
No pilots were detained as a result of the incident.
According to an Associated Press report, crew on board a Saudi Arabian Airlines flight made a hijack distress call around 30 miles from Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Tuesday.
The crew confirmed the call twice, airport manager Eddie Monreal said, but the aircraft’s captain later confirmed to the control tower that the button was pushed accidentally.
The plane was taken to an isolated location after landing and checked, Monreal said, adding that security forces were sent in as a precautionary measure.
“It is fortunate that upon landing ... the crew said they made a mistake,” Monreal is quoted as saying in an ITV report.
“However, we can never play around with safety and security. It (the button) was unintentionally pushed. But the problem is it was pushed twice.”
The plane was carrying 410 passengers and 21 crew.
Officials from the Philippines’ Civil Aviation Authority are investigating the incident and may impose “penalties or sanction” if the pilot is found to be at fault.
No pilots were detained as a result of the incident.