Incident Overview
On December 11, 1994, Philippine Airlines Flight 434, a scheduled service from Manila to Tokyo with a stopover in Cebu, was operating the second leg of its journey from Mactan–Cebu International Airport to Narita International Airport in Tokyo, Japan. The aircraft, a Boeing 747-283B, suffered a bomb explosion during the flight. The explosion killed one passenger and caused serious damage to the aircraft, including affecting vital control systems. Despite the damage, the aircraft remained in a repairable state.
Response and Outcome
The captain of the flight, 58-year-old veteran pilot Eduardo "Ed" Reyes, was able to land the aircraft safely, saving the remaining passengers and crew. The successful landing prevented further loss of life.
Context
Investigation revealed that the bombing was a test run for the Bojinka terrorist attacks, a large-scale plot that was ultimately unsuccessful. The bomb was placed onboard the aircraft prior to departure.