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Pilot who mistakenly sparked hijack situation could face punishment
Sunday, 21 Sep, 2016
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A pilot who twice wrongly pressed a distress button causing a security alert at Manila Airport could face punishment by airport authorities.
The Saudi Airways Airlines pilot pressed the distress button by mistake 20 minutes before landing and was advised to land the airplane at an isolated part of the airport with authorities fearing a hijack situation.
Twenty minutes later the pilot said it had been a mistake.
"There was an error in the communication signal after the crew of the aircraft pressed the hijack button twice, sending the distress calls and signalling they were under threat," said airport general manager Ed Monreal.
The aircraft was carrying 410 people including 21 crew members and all were held on the plane until the all-clear was given.
Both the airline and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines have started investigations.
"Apparently the pilot committed an error activating the signal,’ a statement from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said.
"Appropriate penalties and sanctions will be imposed on the erring pilot if the result is indeed a human error."
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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