SIA plane dragged by winds hits air bridge in Manila

Two planes at the Ninoy Aquino airport in Manila were damaged due to strong winds brought by typhoon Rammasun. A Singapore Airlines (SIA) aircraft was dragged by winds by about 5m and hit an air bridge.

According to a report on ABC-CBN news, the incident damaged the left wing of the SIA plane and caused a dent on the left engine.

A manager of the airport had said that the aircraft could have crashed into the terminal if it did not hit the equipment.

A Malaysia Airlines plane was also damaged after it hit a mobile service stairs after being dragged and spun by strong winds.

"Due to very strong winds, we have 2 plane incidents. First involving an aircraft of Singapore Airlines on the ground damaging its left wing after it hit one of the air bridges of Terminal 1. Another is Malaysian Airlines plane which fuselage was damaged after it turned some 45 degrees to its side hitting a service stairs stationed nearby while it was parked at remote parking of the cargo terminal," said airport general manager Jose Angel Honrado.

Both planes have been grounded pending an investigation, and passengers of affected flights will be assigned to another aircraft, said ABC-CBN.

sinsh@sph.com.sg