PAL Jet Hits Air Pocket; 11 Injured

The Philippine Star

Sunday, December 6, 1998

By REY ARQUIZA

Eleven of the 283 passengers of a Philippine Airlines (PAL) plane were injured yesterday when the aircraft experienced severe air turbulence while on its way to Manila from Singapore.

A PAL statement said the Airbus 330-300 plane piloted by Cpt. Alfredo Magbanua was cruising at 37,000 feet when it encountered heavy turbulence, causing the aircraft to drop 1,000 feet in a matter of seconds.

At that time, most of the passengers have already unbuckled their seatbelts since food was being served.

Passengers said those injured were thrown from their seats and bumped their heads on the aircraft’s ceiling as the plane hit a strong air pocket.

Jose Fausto Gonzales, a 31-year old contract worker from Cebu, suffered a broken neck.

The others who were hurt were Leticia Pragio, Avelino Gallegos, Adelaida Badilla, Emily Baronia, Analyn Generalao, Salvacion Arconsalin, Cecile Lobim, Laila Mateo, Alfredo Ogot and Marissa De La Vega.

They were discharged by the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) medical team after a thorough checkup.

Other passengers, however, refused to be treated, saying all they wanted was to go home after their harrowing experience.

“We were about to have lunch when the plane suddenly shook and we felt we were going to crush.” An unidentified passenger told reporters at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport after the pilot managed to land the jetliner safely.

An airport official said it was fortunate that the pilot managed to bring the plane back to its proper altitude, otherwise it would have crashed.

Officials from the Air Transportation Office, meanwhile, were called in to inspect the aircraft.

It was the first accident to befall a PAL jetliner since the financially strapped flag carrier resumed international operations last October after a long absence, following its closure last Sept. 23.

PAL Chairman Lucio Tan is currently in the thick of negotiations with prospective foreign partners who could infuse at least $150 million into the ailing airline to keep flying.