Philippine Airlines - PAL

Safety profile and incident history for Philippine Airlines - PAL.

Safety Score

8.9/10

Total Incidents

45

Total Fatalities

481

Recent Incidents

Airbus A320

Butuan Agusan del Norte

Following an uneventful flight from Manila-Ninoy Aquino Airport, the crew started the approach to Butuan Airport in good weather conditions. After landing on runway 12/30 which is 1,965 metres long, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran, went down an embankment and came to rest in a coconut grove. The cockpit was partially destroyed and both pilots were seriously injured while 32 passengers escaped with minor injuries. 120 other occupants were unhurt and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

March 22, 1998 3 Fatalities

Airbus A320

Bacolod Negros Occidental

Flight PR137 was a regular scheduled passenger flight and departed Manila for Bacolod at 18:40. The airplane departed with the thrust reverser of engine n°1 inoperative. At 19:20, PR137 called Bacolod Approach Control and reported passing FL260 and 55 DME to Bacolod . The crew then requested landing instructions and was instructed to descend to FL90 after passing Iloilo and descend to 3,000 feet for a VOR runway 04 approach. Wind was 030° at 08 kts, altimeter 1014 mbs, transition level at FL60 and temperature at 28°C. At 19:28, the flight requested to intercept the final approach to runway 04 and Approach Control replied "PR 137 visual approach on final". At 19:37, Bacolod Tower cleared the flight to land at runway 04 and the clearance was acknowledged by the pilot. The approach was flown with the Autothrust system was engaged in SPEED mode. The thrust lever of engine no.1 was left in Climb detent. Upon touchdown the first officer called out "no spoilers, no reverse, no decel". Engine no.2 was set to full reverse thrust after touchdown, but the engine no .1 thrust lever was not retarded to idle and remained in the climb power position. Consequently, the spoilers did not deploy. Because one engine was set to reverse, the autothrust system automatically disengaged. With the autothrust disengaged, no. 1 engine thrust increased to climb thrust. Due to the asymmetrical thrust condition, the A320 ran off the right side of the runway. At this speed, rudder and nosewheel steering are ineffective. Engine no.2 was moved out of reverse up to more than 70 percent N1 and the airplane swerved back onto the runway. The A320 continued past the runway end. The aircraft hit the airport perimeter fence and then jumped over a small river. It continued to slice through a hallow block fence where it went through several clusters of shanties and trees. No fire ensued after the crash.

May 11, 1990 16 Fatalities

Boeing 737-300

Manila-Ninoy Aquino Metro Manila

Parked at Manila-Ninoy Aquino Airport, the aircraft was ready for its flight to Iloilo City with 114 passengers and a crew of six on board. While being pushed back, the aircraft suffered three explosions and caught fire. 80 people escaped with minor injuries while 31 others escaped uninjured. Unfortunately, eight passengers died.

July 21, 1989 9 Fatalities

BAc 111

Manila-Ninoy Aquino Metro Manila

On approach to Manila-Ninoy Aquino Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with strong winds and heavy rain falls. On final, the crew was informed by ATC he was too high on the glide and it would preferable to initiate a go-around. The captain continued the approach and the touchdown was made too far down a wet runway 06. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran, went through a concrete wall, lost its undercarriage and came to rest on a motorway, hitting several vehicles. A passenger died as well as eight people on the ground. All other occupants on board the airplane were rescued, among them 87 were injured as well as 19 people on the ground.

December 13, 1987 15 Fatalities

Short 360

Iligan Lanao del Norte

The crew started the approach to Iligan-Maria Cristina Airport in good weather conditions but the visibility was limited due to the night. On approach, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Gurain located about 16 km south from runway 02 threshold. All 15 occupants were killed.

June 26, 1987 50 Fatalities

Avro 748

Baguio-Loakan Benguet

On approach to Baguio-Loakan Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with low ceiling, thunderstorm activity and heavy rain falls. In low visibility, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Ugo (2,100 meters high) located 19 km southeast of the airport. The wreckage was found 80 meters below the summit, near the Ambuklao Dam. All 50 occupants were killed.

BAc 111

Tacloban Leyte

After landing on runway 36 at Tacloban Airport, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran and came to rest in the sea. All 75 occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

July 11, 1982 4 Fatalities

Avro 748

Jolo Island Sulu

During the takeoff roll at Jolo Airport, at V1 speed, the captain heard two loud bangs apparently coming from the left engine and decided to abandon the takeoff procedure. He initiated an emergency braking maneuver but the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran, went through a concrete wall and eventually collided with a bulldozer. Three passengers and a crew member were killed while 26 other occupants were injured.

NAMC YS-11

Mactan Cebu

On final approach to Mactan Island, the crew encountered technical problems with the left engine. The airplane lost height and crashed into the sea few km offshore. All 25 occupants were rescued while the aircraft sank by a depth of about 5 meters. It appears the turbine temperature was 850° C.

Douglas DC-8

Tokyo-Haneda Kanto

The crew was cleared to takeoff from runway 15L and started the takeoff procedure. After a course of about 1,000 meters, the airplane lifted off prematurely. It banked left, causing the left wing to struck the ground. Out of control, the airplane landed back onto the runway then went out of control. It veered off runway to the left and while contacting soft ground, all landing gear were torn off as well as all four engines. The airplane slid for about 800 meters before coming to rest. All 140 occupants were evacuated, three of them were injured. The aircraft was written off.

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