AN EMPTY CHINA AIRLINES Boeing 747-200 swerved off the runway and crashed at Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport on 12 December, during an attempted three-engine take-off. The aircraft, with only the aircrew aboard, was being returned to Taiwan for repairs after earlier hitting a truck when landing, damaging one of its engines. The second mishap resulted in the 747's nose wheel collapsing when it left the runway and the aircraft becoming bogged down in mud, blocking the airport's only full-length runway. Assessors are examining the 747 to see whether the aircraft can be salvaged.
Source: Flight International
