Basco: A few hours after resuming normal operations following the onslaught of Super Typhoon Leon, the Basco Airport in Batanes was again closed for the weekend after a Philippine Air Force Airbus C-295 skidded off the runway at about 4 p.m. Friday. The medium tactical transport aircraft, with Tail No. 217, delivered relief goods for the typhoon victims.
According to Philippines News Agency, the aircraft skidded off the runway after its nose landing gear detached upon touchdown. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) in Basco stated that the airport would be closed to fixed-wing aircraft until November 3 while an investigation is being conducted, as mentioned in a statement from the provincial government.
In the aftermath of the incident, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office confirmed that all crew and passengers were safe following an emergency meeting. Super Typhoon Leon had earlier placed Batanes under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 5 on October 30, leading to th
e evacuation of 546 families, or 1,589 individuals, from their homes.
The airport had returned to normal operations at 9:10 a.m. Friday, as announced by CAAP, only for the accident to occur later that day.
