PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, Nov 29 2016 – The Trinidad-based Caribbean Airlines (CAL) announced that it had temporarily withdrawn one of its aircraft from service after it was involved in a collision with another aircraft at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) in Guyana on Tuesday.
In a statement, CAL said that its Boeing 737-800 aircraft operating BW 527, from JFK International, New York to CJIA was involved in an incident on the ramp.
“All passengers and crew were safely disembarked. The aircraft has since been temporarily withdrawn from service and all appropriate inspections and procedures, along with an investigation are in progress. “Caribbean Airlines re-affirms our commitment to the safety of our valued customers and crew and thanks the public for your continued support,” CAL said in the statement.
GCAA director Retired Col. Egbert Field told the Guyana-based Demerara Waves On Line News that the right wing of the CAL plane knocked the tail cone of the Fly Jamaica aircraft which was parked. The tail cone is the exhaust for the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU).
“We are told that the right wing of the Caribbean Airlines aircraft came into contact with the tail cone of the Fly Jamaica aircraft. As to the extent of the damage, I am still awaiting the report from the investigating team,” he said.
Field said neither of the two planes would be allowed to leave Guyana until investigators have completed their work, repairs are done and they are certified again as being airworthy.
