Credits: Cebu Pacific crew in Davao plane mishap followed correct protocol - CAAP | News | GMA News Online
Cebu Pacific crew in Davao plane mishap followed correct protocol - CAAP
A Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines official on Thursday said the cabin crew of Cebu Pacific flight 5J 971 that swerved off a runway at the Davao International Airport followed correct protocol in the incident.
In a phone interview with GMA News Online,
Captain Beda Badiola, assistant director general of the Flight Standard Inspectorate Service of CAAP, said
the incident only qualified for a "precautionary disembarkation."
Passengers of the Cebu Pacific flight have thought otherwise and have decided to take legal action against the air carrier due to the alleged “inaction” of the crew members after the aircraft's landing went awry.
A few passengers noted that crew members refused to let them out of the plane after the landing, despite the "smoke inside the cabin."
"The smoke is probably steam, nabuhasan kasi ng tubig—umuulan kasi—ang engine na mainit, steam iyon," Badiola explained.
Badiola also said that it was standard procedure for the cabin crew to wait for the pilot's instructions. The cabin crew may only initiate evacuation in instances of engine fire or when the landing gear collapses.
"Sa case ng Cebu Pacific flight, walang fire, walang aircraft malfunction, at umuulan sa labas... kailangang i-consider ang outside factors. Kaya precautionary disembarkation lang," Badiola added.
More dangerous
Meanwhile, according to a Philippine Airlines flight attendant, who refused to be named due to company policies,
cabin crew members are only allowed to initiate evacuation in situations such as:
- Thick smoke inside and outside the aircraft
- Fire or explosion
- Water landing
- Severe structural damage
- Landing gears failure
"If otherwise, we will await for a command coming from the flight deck before we proceed to do any actions," she added. "We are to assist and guide passengers and to deliver immediate first aid if necessary during an emergency."
A first officer of a foreign air carrier, who also refused to be named, also said an emergency evacuation may been more dangerous.
He said injuries were common during an evacuation and warning lights inside the cockpit will turn on in case of fire inside the aircraft.
He also said the smoke passengers claimed may actually be from the "fuming effect" or steam coming from the heat of brakes of the nose gear coming in contact with rain water. — DVM, GMA News
Originally Posted by Jarenz
Reply With Quote
