PAL lauds ‘hero’ pilot

To recall, the Boeing 777 aircraft – which carried 342 passengers and 18 crew members – had technical problems on its Engine 2 just two minutes after takeoff and was reported to have emitted flames.

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Friday commended the efforts of the captain of Flight 113 who pulled off an emergency landing after the aircraft experienced engine trouble.

In a statement through a social media post, PAL spokesman Cielo VIllaluna congratulated Captain Triston Simeon for landing safely the aircraft at Los Angeles’ Tom Bradley International Airport.

“We likewise recognize and appreciate the calm professionalism exhibited by our experienced flight and cabin crew, headed by Captain Triston Simeon and Purser Joanne Marie Dirige, in executing the unscheduled landing and taking care of our passengers,” Villaluna said in a separate statement.

To recall, the Boeing 777 aircraft – which carried 342 passengers and 18 crew members – had technical problems on its Engine 2 just two minutes after takeoff and was reported to have emitted flames.

Simeon and the flight crew elected to turn back to the airport and make a precautionary landing and according to the post, all the passengers were accounted for and have been booked on the next available flight out of Los Angeles.

Villaluna earlier said that the incident is now under investigation, noting that all PAL planes undergo rigorous safety checks.

Meantime, Boeing and General Electric — which makes the GE90 engine for the 777 twin-aisle jetliner — did not immediately respond to requests for comment as the cause of the apparent engine failure was not immediately clear.

“You saw bursts of flames, little flames shooting out from the engine,” said Andrew Ames, a 36-year-old fitness professional in Los Angeles, who watched as the plane ascended over the ocean after takeoff. “It almost looked like backfire flames from a motorcycle or car.”

“I had never seen a plane spew flames repeatedly. Then it stopped. As soon as it stopped, I saw the plane bank left, like it was heading back to airport,” Ames said.