A Bombardier Global 5000 carrying several senior members of the Philippines government was substantially damaged during a runway excursion at Tocloban Airport in south central Philippines on January 17. The crew aborted the takeoff roll for reasons as yet unknown and was unable to keep the aircraft on the hard surface of the airport’s 7,014-foot runway. The large-cabin twinjet departed the left side of the runway into wet, grassy terrain, collapsing the left main and nosewheel landing gear. None of the 15 people on board was injured. Witnesses reported hearing an explosion during the aircraft’s takeoff roll, possibly the sound of a tireburst, but those reports have not been confirmed officially. Local weather at the time of the accident was reported only as poor.