MANILA, Philippines – What started as a routine early morning flight from Cebu to Manila quickly turned into a tense and life-changing experience for those aboard Cebu Pacific Flight 5J 588.
A mechanical failure in the plane’s landing gear forced an emergency return to Cebu, leaving passengers and crew alike facing a situation none could have anticipated.
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| Photo courtesy: Facebook/MyTV Cebu and Threads/righteousnesscourage |
Production designer and filmmaker Remton Zuasola was one of the passengers on the flight, which departed Cebu at 4:30 AM. According to Zuasola, the flight began as expected, with passengers relaxing as the plane made its way toward Manila. However, the calm atmosphere soon turned to fear when the captain made an urgent announcement about a mechanical issue.
“The mood inside the cabin immediately shifted,” Zuasola recalled. “Passengers, who had been peacefully resting, started whispering nervously while the flight crew scrambled to implement emergency procedures.”
With a mechanical failure of the plane’s landing gear, the captain decided to turn the aircraft around and head back to Cebu for an emergency landing.
Zuasola, who was deeply affected by the tension in the air, shared his experience during the descent. “We were told to remove any sharp objects and brace for impact by placing our hands behind our heads. The next eight minutes felt like an eternity. People were crying, others were praying, and the tension in the air was palpable. It felt like everything was out of our control.”
Despite the turbulence and the fear that gripped the cabin, the first light of dawn eventually broke through the clouds as the plane descended. Zuasola, reflecting on what he believed might be his last moments, thought, “What a beautiful view for my last moments.” However, against all odds, the plane made a smooth and safe landing back at Mactan Cebu International Airport.
The relief among passengers was palpable. As the aircraft touched down, the cabin erupted into cheers and applause, with some passengers hugging their seatmates while others tearfully thanked the crew for their professionalism and bravery.
“CebuPac really handled this incident well, and I congratulate the pilots for doing such a brave job of landing everyone to safety,” Zuasola said.
The crew of Flight 5J 588 was met with a wave of gratitude, particularly from several nuns on board who took a moment to bless and thank the pilots for their skillful handling of the crisis.
The Mactan Cebu International Airport Aviation Authority (MCIAA) confirmed the incident, stating that the aircraft, which had been bound for Manila, encountered landing gear issues shortly after departure. The plane made a return landing at 5:29 AM, and MCIAA worked alongside Cebu Pacific and other relevant authorities to ensure the safety of everyone on board.
“The safety and security of all passengers and personnel remain our top priority,” said the airport’s statement. “We extend our gratitude to all involved for their swift response.”
After the emergency landing, passengers were promptly rebooked on the next available flight. The replacement aircraft took off from Mactan Cebu International at 7:09 AM and safely landed in Manila at 8:04 AM.
Cebu Pacific has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident, but the swift actions taken by both the crew and airport authorities were widely praised.
— The Summit Express
