A Philippine Air Force (PAF) C-295W transport aircraft skidded off the runway at Basco Airport in Batanes province after its nose landing gear collapsed during landing on Friday afternoon, temporarily affecting ongoing relief operations in the region.
Video footage of the incident obtained by AviationUpdatesPH.com shows the aircraft touching down on the runway, bouncing, and subsequently hitting its nose wheel hard on the runway surface before the nose landing gear collapsed.
The incident occurred around 3:00 PM on November 1, when the aircraft, bearing tail number 217, was conducting a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) mission, PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo confirmed in a statement to the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
Basco Airport has a short, 1,244-meter runway and a steep hill, making it extra challenging compared to other airports. Pilots need special certification to operate to and from this demanding airfield.
The affected aircraft, a relatively new addition to the PAF fleet, was manufactured by CASA and delivered to the Philippines on February 7, 2023. The twin-engine military transport, powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127G turboprops, is assigned to the 220th Airlift Wing.
The military transport plane was carrying family food packs from the Office of Civil Defense when the incident happened. All crew members aboard the aircraft were reported safe, according to military officials.
In an INQUIRER.net report, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. said that the C-295W had been actively involved in transporting relief goods to calamity victims before the runway incident.
The PAF has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the incident. “An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the incident, and steps will be taken to ensure the safety and efficiency of future operations,” AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla told PNA.
Despite the setback, both the PAF and AFP assured that relief operations in Batanes and other areas affected by recent weather disturbances would continue through alternative means.
“The PAF assures the public that despite this incident, our commitment and selfless duty to conduct rescue and relief operations in Batanes and all other typhoon-affected areas will continue by all other means,” Castillo emphasized.
The aircraft has been towed off the runway but remains grounded at Basco Airport (BSO) following the incident.
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