Early on July 12, 2024, a Cebu Pacific Airbus A321neo was involved in a minor incident at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila.
According to the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), the aircraft was being repositioned from Bay 111 to Bay 122A at NAIA Terminal 3 when it became stuck in the mud beyond the concrete taxiway, near G13.
The aircraft in question, with registration RP-C4126, had arrived from Hong Kong as flight 5J-114 at 11:56 PM the previous day. It was initially parked at Bay 111, which is typically used for international flights. The plane’s next scheduled flight was 5J-561 to Cebu, a domestic route. Because of that, the aircraft needed to be moved to the domestic gates area further north of Terminal 3.
Repositioning an aircraft involves moving it from one parking bay to another. This procedure is typically done through towing by ground crew. During towing, there are no passengers nor flight crew onboard. The aircraft is prepared for its next flight only after it reaches its assigned gate.
While the exact cause of the incident is still under investigation, several factors may have contributed. It was raining at the time, making the ramp surface wet and potentially slippery. There could have been a problem with the towing vehicle or equipment. Additionally, miscommunication or an error in judgment during the towing process is possible.
However, the incident has led to several consequences. As of 9:30 AM, the MIAA reported that six arrivals and seven departures were delayed. Moreover, with Bays 110-112 unavailable, NAIA Terminal 3 has reduced parking capacity for wide-body aircraft. And of course, the airline has one less aircraft it can use for flights, at least temporarily.
It’s important to note that official investigations will determine the precise cause of the incident and these insights will only make aviation safer than ever before.
This incident serves as a reminder of the complex operations involved in airport ground handling and the potential impact of weather conditions on these procedures.
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