Fly Jamaica crash-lands at CJIA after encountering hydraulic issues

– 10 passengers hospitalised
– firefighters arrested for theft

A Boeing 757 aircraft operated by Fly Jamaica crash-landed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, East Bank Demerara, in the wee hours of Friday thus resulting in at least 10 people being medically examined.
The airplane carrying 118 adults, along with two infants and an 8-member crew, took off from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport at about 02:10h but after sometime, the aircraft encountered hydraulic problems and as such, returned to Timehri where it crash-landed. The aircraft was destined for Toronto, Canada.
All passengers and crew members onboard were accounted for but officials have confirmed that five passengers suffered spinal injuries which is not life threatening.
At least two other passengers are suffering from hypertension and one is said to be receiving attention for a heart related ailment. The other passengers were taken to a secured facility in the airport and their respective family members were

contacted.
Most of the passengers were subsequently transported to their home or hotels while arrangements are being finalised with Caribbean Airline to transport some to Canada as soon as possible. Moments after the aircraft crash-landed, the Control Tower reportedly contacted the Duty Officer and the Guyana Fire Service.
According to Chief Executive Officer of the Airport, Ramesh Ghir, the Emergency Response Plan was immediately activated. The passengers were assisted in the deplaning process and taken to safety.

All onboard accounted for
At a press conference on Friday, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson explained that a preliminary investigation has been launched into the accident. He nevertheless reiterated that all the passengers and crew are accounted for while noting the passengers were of various nationalities including Pakistani, Canadian, American, Trinidadian and Guyanese.
Six of the eight crew members are all Guyanese, he added. He also noted that a few passengers would have received minor injuries as they were being taken off the aircraft.
On this note, Chief Medical Officer Shamdeo Persaud confirmed that seven of the 10 people were referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital after being attended to at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre. Two remained at the East Bank medical facility and are being treated.
Another seven were seen by medical personnel at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. He added that the injuries received were not life threatening. “However, we still will look at the results especially the people with the spinal injury… these are some of the expected injuries when you slide…,” he added.
The health ports are however making sure that those who are in need of medication receive same.

Investigation
The accident has definitely called for an investigation and according to Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Edberg Fields, a specialist has been appointed by Minister Patterson to overlook the investigation.
Paula McAdam, he noted, will be assisted by members of the GCAA and will soon be joined by a member of the National Transport Safety Board (NTSB).
The person, Field told the media, is expected to be briefed on the preliminary findings. Nevertheless, the Director General explained that the Fly Data Recorder, known as the “Black Box” as well as the Cockpit Voice Recorder were secured and will be sent to the NTSB as soon as possible to be decoded.
These two pieces of equipment, he added, are important to determine what transpired on the morning of November 9, 2018. Up to the time of the press conference, the GCAA official posited that the pilots were not questioned about the incident.
When questioned about the condition of the aircraft, Field related that he did not have a chance to speak with the operators with respect to maintenance and could not say if the hydraulic system had some issues before takeoff.
As it relates to securing the aircraft, Police Commissioner Leslie James assured that there are enough Police ranks and soldiers at the site to prevent anyone from going close to the aircraft. He added that the Guyana Defence Force has also chipped in with protection.
In addition, the baggage hole was cleared and the bags were handed over to their respective owners.

Theft
Meanwhile, several firefighters are being questioned by the Guyana Police Force after they were accused of stealing personal items from the captain and crew members. The theft occurred while the firemen were assisting in the evacuation of the passengers after the airplane crash landed on Friday.
Fire Chief Marlon Gentle confirmed that some of the stolen items such as electronic devises were returned by one of the men. In addition, other items were recovered at the Timehri Fire Station. Gentle told media operatives that the police have taken over the investigations and those found culpable will face he full blunt of the law.
In 2016, an incoming Caribbean Airlines Limited (CAL) flight had struck a Fly Jamaica airplane that was parked at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.
It was later confirmed that the right wing of the CAL plane knocked the tail cone of the Fly Jamaica aircraft which was parked. It was reported that the CAL flight was arriving from New York, while the Fly Jamaica plane was being prepared for boarding.
Back in 2011, a Boeing 737 – 800 aircraft owned by Caribbean Airlines split into two after it veered off the runaway at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.
An investigation revealed that “the probable cause of the accident was that the aircraft touched down approximately 4700 feet beyond the runway threshold, some 2700 feet from the end of the runway, as a result of the captain maintaining excess power during the flare and upon touching down, failure to utilise the aircraft’s full deceleration capability resulted in the aircraft overrunning the remaining runway and fracturing the fuselage.”