The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has been called in to conduct an independent probe into an apparent mishap that occurred today involving an American Airline plane coming in contact with threshold lights at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).
According to a statement published on the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MOPI)’s Facebook page, at approximately 00:34hrs, American Airlines flight AA1512, destined to Miami, was executing a turn on runway (RWY) 06 threshold for take-off when the plane’s nose and right main gear tires were deflated after coming into contact with temporary threshold lights.
As a result, the aircraft became disabled and the runway was closed.
According to the statement, these lights were put in place by the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) to facilitate the runway extension works. The statement further read that the “appropriate” notice to airman (NOTAM) was previously issued to advise of these works and for pilots to exercise caution when in the vicinity of the threshold.
The 128 passengers and five crew members were transported from the aircraft to the terminal building via airport buses, it was stated.
The runway was reopened for flight operation at around 04:40hrs, following the relocation of the aircraft.
Aside from the GCAA’s probe, an internal investigation has also been launched to determine the circumstances leading to the aircraft coming into contact with the lights.
