Philippine Airlines Dash 8 Overruns Runway at Busuanga Airport

Busuanga, Philippines – On July 14th, 2024, a Philippine Airlines (PAL) de Havilland Dash 8-400, registration RP-C5905, overran the runway during landing at Busuanga Airport. The aircraft, operating flight PR-2680 from Cebu to Busuanga with 53 passengers and 4 crew members on board, landed on runway 26 at 14:51 local time but was unable to stop within the paved surface, coming to rest approximately 100 meters (330 feet) beyond the runway’s end on soft ground. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported, and the aircraft sustained only minor, if any, damage.

Incident Overview

The incident occurred during the landing phase of flight PR-2680, a regularly scheduled domestic service from Cebu to Busuanga, a popular destination in the Philippines known for its natural beauty. Upon landing on runway 26, the aircraft was unable to decelerate sufficiently due to the challenging weather conditions at the time, leading to the overrun.

Despite the overrun, the flight crew managed to keep the aircraft under control, and it came to a stop safely on soft ground beyond the runway. The passengers and crew were unharmed and safely disembarked from the aircraft. Initial reports suggest that the aircraft did not suffer significant damage, although a detailed inspection would be necessary to confirm its airworthiness.

Airline and Weather Conditions

Philippine Airlines confirmed the incident and attributed the runway overrun to adverse weather conditions. Busuanga Airport, which serves as the gateway to the island of Coron, can experience rapidly changing weather, particularly during the monsoon season, which often brings heavy rain and reduced visibility.

Landing in such conditions requires careful handling, particularly at smaller airports like Busuanga, where the runways may not be as long as those at major international airports. In this case, the combination of wet runway conditions and possible tailwinds may have contributed to the aircraft’s inability to stop within the designated runway length.

Safety and Operational Implications

Runway overruns are a serious concern in aviation, particularly at airports with shorter runways or in areas prone to adverse weather. This incident underscores the importance of strict adherence to approach and landing procedures, especially in challenging weather conditions.

The investigation into this incident will likely examine several factors, including the weather conditions at the time of landing, the aircraft’s speed and approach angle, and the runway’s condition. The findings could lead to recommendations for improved procedures or infrastructure enhancements at Busuanga Airport to mitigate the risk of similar incidents in the future.

Conclusion

The successful management of the runway overrun by the Philippine Airlines flight crew ensured that what could have been a more serious incident ended without injury or significant damage. This event serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of weather in aviation and the critical importance of proper landing techniques and decision-making under challenging conditions.

As investigations continue, the focus will be on learning from this incident to enhance safety protocols and prevent future occurrences. Philippine Airlines and aviation authorities will work together to ensure that the lessons learned are applied effectively, contributing to the ongoing safety of air travel in the region.