A Philippine Air Force surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft caught an engine problem, prompting the pilots to make an emergency landing in Mactan, Cebu on Wednesday.

PAF spokesperson Col. Consuelo Castillo said the Cessna 208B EX Grand Caravan was deployed for a "confidential mission" in Visayas when one of its engines caught fire while flying at 2,000 feet above the ground fire around 2:15 a.m. on 4 October.

"The engine problem resulted in extreme difficulty in maneuvering the aircraft, but in spite of this, the pilots were able to land the aircraft, with all five aircrews onboard well and safe," she said.

Castillo said the PAF is currently undertaking a "thorough investigation of the incident."

"The PAF is committed to ensuring the utmost safety of our air operations while continuously supporting the country's security and development efforts," she added.

Castillo, meanwhile, clarified that the troubled Cessna surveillance aircraft was not the same United States-donated asset that was received by the PAF last 19 September.

"It was one of the deliveries in 2017. The aircraft is undergoing a thorough inspection. We are hoping for the best that the damage is not that severe. We are just happy and thankful that all aircrew are safe," she added.

Castillo explained the aircraft was among the first two units of C-208B planes delivered on 27 July 2017, accepted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, at the height of the infamous Marawi Siege.

The PAF utilizes the aircraft for its intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. However, due to the incident, the PAF was left with two operational Cessna 208B (C-208B) Grand Caravan aircraft for its ISR missions.

Castillo said investigation to determine the root cause of the engine fire is ongoing.

"The aircraft was intact and only the engine caught fire. In cases like engine fire, the aircraft could still glide but this time, our pilots did not have enough altitude so it was really fortunate that they still managed to maneuver the aircraft back to Mactan," she stressed.