Wide body Korean Air passenger plane overruns runway on third landing attempt in Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — A Korean Air Lines passenger plane with 173 passengers aboard overshot the runway in bad weather Sunday night.

The Mactan-Cebu International Airport was closed after an Airbus A330 from Inchon, South Korea, departed the runway during its third landing attempt at the airport around 11:07 p.m. local time.

Authorities said that the 173 aboard were safe despite that a portion of the aircraft’s underbelly ripped away in the incident, according to The Associated Press.

“All passengers are safe and being attended by ground personnel,” the Philippine aviation agency said in a statement obtained by AP.

According to FlightRadar24, the aircraft, which is equipped to carry more than 270 passengers, had made two landing approaches in poor weather before the runway excursion on the third landing attempt.

Korean Air is investigating the “exact cause of the accident.”

“Flight #KE631 departing from Incheon International Airport on 10/24 headed to Cebu Airport in the Philippines had an accident that diverted the runway due to worsening weather during landing at Cebu Airport. Korean Air is investigating the casualties and the exact cause of the accident. We will provide additional information regarding the confirmation.”

The airline said all passengers evacuated on the plane’s escape slides, according to AP.

At least four incoming flights were diverted to Manila and a nearby airport.

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