MANILA — The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) expects to have by November the final probe result on last August’s Xiamen Air fiasco.
In an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Thursday, CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio said CAAP already received the substantial information it needs, but subject to verification.
“We can’t just point the finger at someone just based on what you saw in the runway,” he explained, though saying the Chinese airline has liabilities or is also responsible for the incident.
Apolonio added that the investigation period is not long.
“This (kind of investigation) normally takes six months. CAAP was able to expedite it,” he stressed.
The airport executive said CAAP investigators went to Xiamen Air’s office last month to get the service records of both the airline and the pilots involved.
CAAP first had an initial investigation, then checked the weather factors during the day of the incident, got the medical records of the pilots involved, who tested negative for alcohol, and finally went to Xiamen Air’s office to get the service records.
“We also need to interview and compile the details of all the airlines that have departed or landed prior to Xiamen Air,” Apolonio added.
Majority of what they need are already with then but they always have to follow the investigation procedure, he added.
“Their financial liability will be determined by MIAA (Manila International Airport Authority). For passengers’ complaints, they need to approach the CAB (Civil Aeronautics Board),” he said.
Apolonio said upon receiving the final investigation report, CAAP will coordinate with its Chinese counterpart, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), regarding Xiamen Air’s violations.
“It is the CAAC who will give sanctions to Xiamen Air. The sanctions are based on the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization), he said.
Shortly before midnight of Aug. 16 this year, Xiamen Air flight MF8667 skidded off at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) amid heavy rains. The incident led to the closure of the airport’s international runway (runway 06/24) until before noon of Aug. 18.
The incident had caused many flights to be canceled, diverted, and delayed. (Ma. Cristina Arayata/PNA)
