(Trinidad Express) Former works and transport minister Colm Imbert has said the authorities must move swiftly to determine what caused the Caribbean Airlines (CAL) aircraft to crash-land as this would affect the airline’s ratings and ability to fly freely into different countries.
Speaking to the Express by phone yesterday, Imbert pointed out that CAL has an unblemished safety record for the past 70 years.
He said the crash-landing of the CAL aircraft on Saturday at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport in Guyana would have an impact on the airlines’ safety ratings.
“One would expect that the Federal Aviation Administration (in the United States) would check the plane because I am told the plane is registered with the FAA,” said Imbert.
He said all bodies, including our local Civil Aviation Authority, must work to establish the cause of the accident.
Imbert said the crash could have been caused by three possible reasons.
He said there could have been a mechanical failure with respect to the aircraft.
There could have been a failure with the landing lights of the air navigation systems in Guyana.
Or the crash could have been caused by pilot error, he said.
“It is very important for Caribbean Airlines and aviation authorities to establish which one of the three it is,” said Imbert.
“Our category one rating is based on the airworthiness and safe records of CAL; unless the cause is determined, this could affect our category one rating,” said Imbert.
“It would affect Caribbean Airlines’ ability to fly to various points in the US. If you are a category two, for example, you are restricted to the amount of cities you can land in,” said Imbert.
