Aircraft crash-lands at Busuanga airport in Palawan on Maundy Thursday

On July 14, 2024 (Sunday, not Maundy Thursday), Philippine Airlines Express flight PR-2680, a De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft with registration RP-C5905, overran the runway at Francisco B. Reyes Airport in Busuanga, Coron, Palawan. The aircraft departed Mactan-Cebu International Airport at 1:44 PM and landed at Busuanga Airport at approximately 2:51 PM during heavy rain and poor weather conditions. The plane overshot runway 26 by about 100 meters and came to rest in a grassy area beyond the runway threshold. All 53 passengers and 4 crew members were safely evacuated by 3:40 PM with no reported injuries.

The incident caused temporary suspension of operations at Busuanga Airport, leading to the diversion of several flights. Initial assessments by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) pointed to hydroplaning as the likely cause, where the aircraft's tires lost contact with the runway surface due to standing water from heavy rainfall. The Aircraft Accident Investigation and Inquiry Board later classified this as a "serious incident" in their final report published on September 8, 2025.

Philippine Airlines issued an official statement confirming the safe evacuation of all passengers and crew, emphasizing their priority on safety, and stating they were working with authorities to resume normal operations. The airline commended passengers for their patience during the evacuation process. CAAP investigators were immediately deployed to the scene to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the runway overrun.

The incident occurred during peak travel season, though not specifically on Maundy Thursday as initially mentioned. The temporary airport closure affected holiday travelers heading to the popular tourist destination of Coron, Palawan. The aircraft sustained only minor damage according to initial reports, and operations at the airport eventually returned to normal following the investigation and clearance of the runway area.