Mystery plane lands at Piarco

AN unauthorised private aircraft from the United States made an unscheduled landing at Piarco International Airport yesterday morning. The private jet from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was under scrutiny and came under police investigation the minute it landed, without permission from the air traffic control tower at the Piarco International  Airport. Police officers, Fire Services, Airport Authority, as well as Immigration and Customs surrounded the plane at the southern landing strip. Airports Authority Communi-cations Manager Ellen Lewis-Adamson told Newsday that the Airports Authority confirmed that at 4.20 yesterday morning there was an unscheduled landing of a private jet at Piarco International Airport.

The WW24 West Wing Aircraft had left Fort Lauderdale en route to Barbados. There were two passengers and two crew members on board, all American nationals. The pilot told investigators that his communication system failed, including the emergency band system, so he was unable to maintain contact with the air traffic control centre at the Piarco International Airport. Police, Immigration  and Customs were informed and the Civil Aviation Authorities are carrying out  investigations. Investigators wondered why the plane bypassed its destination, Grantley Adams International Airport and flew further south to Trinidad.

Civil Aviation Authority Director, Ramesh Lutchmedial, said he was aware of the circumstances surrounding the aircraft. “We are investigating the landing of the aircraft because it was destined to go to Barbados.  We  were told the pilot lost radio communication and we can only confirm it,” he said. Lutchmedial refused to comment on the status of the aircraft communications system, or further investigations on the private jet.

An airport immigration representative confirmed that the crew and passengers were detained at the airport. He said that the light aircraft was not involved in any illegal activity,  and that the crew members were currently repairing the aircraft, and would be leaving Trinidad by tomorrow morning. The passengers were preparing to leave on a Biko (private aircraft) yesterday, while the aircraft was being fixed for radio malfunctions.