Report on Activities and Responses by CJIAC and related
agencies immediately following the CAL Flight BW523 Accident
Overview
At 0132 hours on 30th July 2011 Caribbean Airlines flight, BW523, Registration
9Y-PBM (Boeing 737-800), was involved in an accident at the Cheddi Jagan
International Airport.
This flight originated from JFK International Airport, and transited in Port of
Spain, onwards to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.
Onboard were 154 passengers plus one infant and 6 crew members.
The aircraft overshot the runway and crashed after it landed causing severe
damage to the aircraft and injury to some of the passengers.
Initial Report and Response
The Air Traffic Controller (ATC), at 0133 hours informed the Airport Duty Officer (ADO) that the BW523 had landed and gone over the end of Runway 06.
On receipt of the call from the Control Tower, the ADO activated the emergency
plan by calling:
Chief Executive Officer @0134
Deputy Manager Airport Operations @0134 No Answer
Senior Aerodrome Officer @0135
Deputy Manager Airport Operations @0136
GDF Ops @0137 No Answer
Timehri Police @0137 Already Informed
Port Health @0138 Already Informed
GPHC @0139 No Answer
Immigration @0140
Customs @0140
CAL @0141 Already Informed
Calls were also made to off duty airport operations and maintenance staff.
Concurrently, the Air Traffic Controller placed calls to Aerodrome Fire Service;
Rescue Coordination Centre and the Aircraft Operator.
These calls were made in accordance with the established procedures in the Airport Emergency Plan.
Ramp attendants along with other airport personnel who were on the International Apron awaiting the arrival of the flight observed the aircraft overshoot the runway and immediately ran in the direction of the crash site via the taxiway.
Crash Site
After being advised of the accident by ATC, Aerodrome Fire Service responded to the crash site within three minutes with three fire tenders at the end of Runway 06.
They were positioned to provide lighting to the accident scene and respond to any fire. Upon observing the passengers exiting the aircraft via the wings and emergency chute some fire officers made their way down the 20ft slope and rendered assistance to the passengers. The Aerodrome Fire Service Station Officer explained that the left engine was smoking and they sprayed foam on it to prevent a fire.
Also assisting passengers at this time were Red Caps and Airport Ramp Attendants who had previously been trained in emergency response exercises.
The aircraft was cleared of all passengers by 0138 hours except for the Captain and First Officer who later deplaned with assistance from the Aerodrome Fire Service.
By 0140 the Senior Aerodrome Officer along with members of the Guyana Police Force had already started to form the inner cordon around the aircraft. Shortly thereafter the Guyana Defense Force established the outer security cordon. The primary and secondary sweeps of the aircraft were completed by 0145.
In the meantime several vehicles from the Airport and nearby community began arriving at the crash site and were used to transport passengers to the terminal.
CEO, Ramesh Ghir, along with Minister Robeson Benn arrived at the crash site at
0215 and was briefed by the Senior Aerodrome Officer. At this time there were no passengers at the crash site except for the Flight Crew.
At 0220 the Senior Aerodrome Officer departed the crash site for the Terminal Building and advised the Manager of Air Traffic Services to close the runway.
At 0225 His Excellency President Jagdeo arrived at the Terminal Building and met with passengers.
Medical Services and Care Rendered
The Port Health Officer was on the International Apron at the time of the accident and proceeded to the crash site via Runway 06. He subsequently established Care Area at 0215 in the Arrival Immigration Area (Port Health Office). Approximately thirty one (31) persons were attended to at this facility with most of the passengers suffering from shock and minor injuries. There were about four (4) passengers who suffered serious injuries to their limbs. They were subsequently transported to and admitted in Hospital.
Four (4) doctors along with three (3) ambulances arrived at the airport at approximately 0300 and immediately assisted the injured passengers.
Activation of Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
The Emergency Operating Center (EOC) was established at 0300. All of the critical
members were present in the EOC including:
Minister of Transport and Hydraulics
Chief of Staff and his senior officers
Commissioner of Police and his senior officers
Chairman of CJIAC
CEO and Senior Officers of CJIAC
Director General and Senior Officers of GCAA
Civil Defense Commission
Representatives from CASSOS
Following the meeting, a decision was taken to conduct a detailed inspection and assessment at first light to determine when the aerodrome will be reopened and what restrictions will apply given that the tail of the aircraft was creating an obstruction along the flight path.
During the closure of Runway 06/24, Runway 11/29 was used to process light Aircraft such as the Dash-8 and smaller. Landing and take-offs were done using this runway.
Runway 06/24 was re-opened at 1130 hours on Saturday 30 after notice was given that the operational length of the runway was being reduced to 7,000 ft.
