Cabin smoke forces PAL flight to make emergency landing in Japan

A Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight en route to Los Angeles made an emergency landing at Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan after an air conditioning unit malfunctioned and emitted smoke in the aircraft's cabin.

- By DEXTER BARRO II

In a statement, the flag carrier said a Boeing 777 with a registry number 7782, was carrying 359 passengers and 18 flight deck and cabin crew.

"[PAL] confirms that Flight PR102—which departed from Manila on April 9, Wednesday en route to Los Angeles, diverted to Haneda Airport due to initial findings of smoke emitting from one of two air conditioning units," it said.

PAL confirmed that the aircraft landed safely at Haneda at 3:30 a.m.

Passengers were asked to remain on board for approximately six hours while PAL coordinated with Haneda Airport officials to "ensure a smooth and safe disembarkation." The aircraft's doors were likewise opened to ensure proper ventilation.

PAL later confirmed that passengers and crew "safely disembarked" from the aircraft after it was assigned a disembarkation gate.