JQTOMMY
20th Apr 2008, 23:50
Pilot broke rules, says airport controller
Monday, April 21, 2008
THE pilot that captained the Brisbane-bound Air Pacific flight that was forced to return to Fiji after a bomb threat on Friday night has been accused of ignoring safety procedures.
While the threat turned out to be a hoax, air traffic controllers claim that the impact would have been devastating if proven otherwise because of the decision made by the pilot.
According to an air traffic controller on duty, when the request was made for the aircraft to return to Nadi International Airport, the pilot lied to traffic control on the reasons for returning.
"When we queried as to why he wanted to return to Nadi, the pilot said they were returning for operational requirements.
"He did not inform traffic control that there was a bomb threat. Due to this misinformation, air traffic controllers guided the aircraft to Gate 8 at the international airport," said the air traffic controller.
"But once the aircraft had landed and passengers were rushed off, we found out from Airports Fiji Limited security personnel that there was a bomb threat.
"This was a huge flaw on the part of the pilot not to inform us of the bomb threat because at that time, it was still active and he had not only endangered the lives of his passengers but everyone at the international terminal."
The controller said if they were informed of the threat while the aircraft was enroute to the airport, they would have directed the aircraft to an area that is located at the far-end of the runway to ensure minimal damage or casualties.
He said due to the pilot withholding information, air traffic control had not put in place emergency response strategies to assist the passengers and defuse the situation.
He said the pilot's decision not to inform air traffic control and bring the aircraft to the terminal had endangered hundreds of lives.
A flight attendant that was onboard the aircraft confirmed they disembarked at gate 8 of the airport terminal.
She said they were all scared when they were informed that they were returning to Nadi because of the possibility of explosives being onboard.
Questions sent to Air Pacific Managing Director, John Campbell remained unanswered.
When contacted yesterday, Transport Minister, Timoci Lesi Natuva referred questions to Civil Aviation Minister, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, who could not be contacted.
Numerous attempts to contact AFL chief executive, Ratu Timoci Tuisawau yesterday were also unsuccessful.
Fiji Police Force's assistant public relations officer, Corporal Josaia Weicavu said he was yet to receive any report of the incident.
Cpl Weicavu said only the Fiji Police Force's and military's arms experts had the necessary expertise to clear any aircraft or building of bomb threats.
SOURCE: FIJI TIMES:
http://fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=86943
Anyone hearing more about this?
Monday, April 21, 2008
THE pilot that captained the Brisbane-bound Air Pacific flight that was forced to return to Fiji after a bomb threat on Friday night has been accused of ignoring safety procedures.
While the threat turned out to be a hoax, air traffic controllers claim that the impact would have been devastating if proven otherwise because of the decision made by the pilot.
According to an air traffic controller on duty, when the request was made for the aircraft to return to Nadi International Airport, the pilot lied to traffic control on the reasons for returning.
"When we queried as to why he wanted to return to Nadi, the pilot said they were returning for operational requirements.
"He did not inform traffic control that there was a bomb threat. Due to this misinformation, air traffic controllers guided the aircraft to Gate 8 at the international airport," said the air traffic controller.
"But once the aircraft had landed and passengers were rushed off, we found out from Airports Fiji Limited security personnel that there was a bomb threat.
"This was a huge flaw on the part of the pilot not to inform us of the bomb threat because at that time, it was still active and he had not only endangered the lives of his passengers but everyone at the international terminal."
The controller said if they were informed of the threat while the aircraft was enroute to the airport, they would have directed the aircraft to an area that is located at the far-end of the runway to ensure minimal damage or casualties.
He said due to the pilot withholding information, air traffic control had not put in place emergency response strategies to assist the passengers and defuse the situation.
He said the pilot's decision not to inform air traffic control and bring the aircraft to the terminal had endangered hundreds of lives.
A flight attendant that was onboard the aircraft confirmed they disembarked at gate 8 of the airport terminal.
She said they were all scared when they were informed that they were returning to Nadi because of the possibility of explosives being onboard.
Questions sent to Air Pacific Managing Director, John Campbell remained unanswered.
When contacted yesterday, Transport Minister, Timoci Lesi Natuva referred questions to Civil Aviation Minister, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, who could not be contacted.
Numerous attempts to contact AFL chief executive, Ratu Timoci Tuisawau yesterday were also unsuccessful.
Fiji Police Force's assistant public relations officer, Corporal Josaia Weicavu said he was yet to receive any report of the incident.
Cpl Weicavu said only the Fiji Police Force's and military's arms experts had the necessary expertise to clear any aircraft or building of bomb threats.
SOURCE: FIJI TIMES:
http://fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=86943
Anyone hearing more about this?