Hero pilots for cop quiz today

Tobago Express pilots captain Daniel Kawal and co-pilot Barri Sadeek, whose skills prevented a major disaster on Monday, will be interviewed today by ASP Terrance Badal and Cpl Romeo Ignacio of Northern Division, as part of the police investigations into the crash-landing of Flight 534. Newsday learnt that the interviews will take place between 9 and noon today. Yesterday, the faulty aircraft was inspected by a team of officials from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to find out exactly what caused the landing gear in the aircraft to fail. The four other Tobago Express Dash 8-300 aircraft have also been grounded in keeping with international aviation standards and operating procedures.

Yesterday, George Bell, general manager of Tobago Express, told Newsday that while he was hoping the airline can resume operations quickly, he must await clearance from the CAA. The CAA investigation is being carried out by Francis Regis. Newsday understands that as a result of the affected operations, the Port Authority increased trips to Tobago on the three inter- island ferries. BWIA also absorbed some passengers who were booked to travel on Tobago Express. When Newsday visited Piarco Airport yesterday, things had returned to normal. All flights were on schedule. On Monday, the Airports Authority was forced to close the runway at 1 pm. It reopened at 3.07 pm.

Five departing flights were postponed and three to Tobago were cancelled. Officials of Bombardier of Canada, manufacturers of the Dash 8-300 aircraft, are also expected to arrive in Trinidad later this week to assist in the investigations. CAA sources told Newsday that based on initial checks yesterday, the aircraft’s landing gear was not working. The sources added that this may occur, and sabotage has been ruled out. The affected aircraft was serviced by BWIA six days ago, and was declared ready to fly. The CAA source pointed out that despite servicing of an aircraft, it is possible for the system to fail. Pilots, however, are trained to deal with an emergency landing. The 43 pilots employed with Tobago Express undergo training in Canada every six months. Tobago Express assured members of the public yesterday that they need not worry about travelling on the aircraft in the future.