ST JOHN’S, Antigua – The Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA) says “significant quantities of water” had been found in the engine of the ill-fated Montserrat Airways Limited that crashed soon after taking off from the V.C Bird International airport on October 7, killing three people.
In a preliminary report, the ECCAA said that an examination of the wreckage showed that the one of the two engines “was not producing power at the time of impact, and investigation of the fuel system feeding that engine found significant quantities of water.
“Following failure of one of the two engines on the Islander aircraft, the failed engine’s propeller should be feathered, to reduce the drag produced. Following successful feathering, continued flight should be possible. Examination of the right-hand propeller showed that it was not in the feathered position,” the report noted.
Three people, including the pilot, Captain Jason Forbes, died after Flight107 which was on its way to the volcano ravaged British Overseas Territory of Montserrat, crashed at about 4:00 pm (local time) forcing a temporary closure of the airport.
The ECCAA said that it had conducted the investigation under the Antigua and Barbuda Civil Aviation Regulations 2004 and in accordance with established international arrangements. It said that Air Safety Support International (ASSI), which performs regulatory oversight of the aircraft operator, as well as the Montserrat Airways Limited, the operator, are cooperating with the investigation. (CMC)
