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Flight fears
LIAT corporate communications manager Desmond Brown.
Published on: 7/5/2009.
by BARRY ALLEYNE
LIAT PILOTS say they are worried that lack of regular maintenance on the planes could eventually place travellers in danger.
A source close to the pilots' association said yesterday that a number of the company's Dash-8 aircraft had suffered "in-flight" failures over the past six weeks, and pilots were worried.
Twice last month LIAT pilots reported nose-gear failures from their cockpits while making landings on two separate flights.
In the first instance on June 24, a Dash-8, registration Victor 2 Lima Lima Golf Golf, landing at 7:20 p.m. in Antigua, reported nose-gear failure and an emergency crew was called out at the V.C. Bird International Airport.
A successful landing was made.
Two days later, pilots on another Dash-8 flight, Lima Golf India, reported a similar problem while attempting an early morning landing in Martinique. That landing was also successful.
The pilots say that both planes are still in use today.
But LIAT corporate communications manager Desmond Brown said yesterday that LIAT was fully aware of all the incidents on each of those occasions, and the aircraft were grounded until the discrepancies were resolved.
"In all the instances the reported nose-gear defects have been rectified before being released back to service," he added.
In addition, an independent mechanical engineer told the SUNDAY SUN that there are certain "faults" that aircraft can have and still be fit to fly and be safe.
But the pilots say they are still concerned.
"We don't want to create a panic throughout the Caribbean, but these incidents have the pilots very worried and we feel LIAT should do something about it instantly," said one pilot representative.
In response, Brown said an investigation was ongoing and that safety remained the company's top priority, and that affected aircraft were grounded and repairs immediately done.
"There was never any failure of the nose gear. There were abnormalities during landing-gear extensions. LIAT is fully aware of all the incidents," Brown told the SUNDAY SUN.
In addition, Brown claimed no emergencies had been declared during either incident.
"In relation to suggestions that the existing problems could lead to a fatal crash, it should be pointed out that on a few occasions the gear did not extended normally, but was lowered quite satisfactorily using an alternative method.
"On another occasion, although the landing gear had extended and locked down normally, there was a faulty indication that it had not, and the alternative extension procedure had to be carried out in the interest of safety."
LIAT currently uses about 15 Dash-8 aircraft to service the region.
LIAT acquired the Dash-8 aircraft in 1985, but by industry standards that does not mean old.
"The age of the aircraft has absolutely no bearing on these incidents. LIAT's approved maintenance programme is as required by the aircraft manufacturer and includes an ageing aircraft inspection Programme," the company confirmed yesterday.
Pilots say, however, that one of their concerns is that problems are exacerbated by the airline's constant island-hopping schedule, which quickens wear and tear on the planes.
In the past months, LIAT pilots and management have been at loggerheads over pay. In May, the company sought a court injunction to prevent industrial action by the pilots.
* barryalleyne@nationnews.com
15 comment found!
Flight Fears : 7/6/2009
The entire fleet of Liat should be subjected to rigorous C-Checks immediately. TO ensure the traveling public of the aircrafts' air-worthiness, Liat should provide the public with a maintenance record for each aircraft. The NTSB should be notified of this potentially disasterous situation. Where are the Civil Aviation Bodies in the Caribbean on this matter?
Pilots' scare tactics : 7/6/2009
I passionately despise the level of service which LIAT offers as a carrier, but -- as a pilot (licensed since 1972 -- longer than most of LIAT's pilots who are spouting their usual garbage), I recognize a rat when I see one. I see that few recognize the scare tactics being employed by a bunch of renegade pilots who are seeking their interests at the industrial bargaining table. If the airplanes were unsafe, why would these idiots jump into their cockpits over and over again.....EVERYDAY??? These incidents occur routinely, and have for years. Why are the pilots only now bringing them up? Read this quote from one of them, and spot the assinine lie: ""On another occasion, although the landing gear had extended and locked down normally, there was a faulty indication that it had not, and the alternative extension procedure had to be carried out in the interest of safety." If the gear had extended and locked down normally, why would "an alternative extension procedure have to be carried out?" Just who do these clowns think they are kidding? I'll tell you who!!!! The gullible, feather-brained people of the Caribbean who love so much tabay, that they will believe anything --- especially when it smacks of lies. Little wonder that the region is not moving ahead. Don't blame LIAT, Caribbean people!!! Blame yourselves for being so dense!!!
liat mechanical problems : 7/6/2009
Mr. Brown needs to know that LIAT is carrying people, not cargo, and needs to get real with his so-called explanation. We are not dumb. Let's all make our voices heard.
making joke : 7/6/2009
He's unaware? well he must be a politician! after Liat done dig out poor people pockets wid dem expensive ticket they cant give their planes maintenance? well well well watch the lose 10 customers cuz me nor me family flying on dem planes again
Very Concerned : 7/6/2009
I know two passengers on one of those grusome flights with landing gear problems. I had conversations with both and the story is one that sure to change your mind about flying on liat. For one, the story was not made up as the two passengers dont even know each other. Mr Brown should come out and stop covering for Liat's years of unprofessional service. If liat had competition, they would get their act together or fail. As a travelling professional, here are some of the meanings to the name liat that I have heard in the region. LIAT: Luggage In Any Terminal. LIAT: Leave Island Any Time. How does this sound to you Mr. Brown. You know how many people with connecting flights gets messed up because liat is always late or cant find luggage? As for problems. Today is July o6 and Liat flight 754 supposed to have left Barbados at 8:15AM it is now 10:30AM and it is still there on the ground because of mechanical problems. So, Mr Brown 3 questions for you that I am sure all users of liat would like to know is, (1) Why does liat have so many mechanical problems? (2) Why is Liat late so often? (3) Why is it that misplaced luggage is so widespread? If you think these questions are not worthy, then you do your own survey. But I think you already know anyhow. As a traveller, if I had one more choice airline between the islands, I would never use liat. This is not because I am not patriotic, it is because of the service. Many people are in this position. I guess they know the governments back them up up and bail them out all the time so why care? So because of this, they get away with these things. But day runs until night catches up with it.
"In all the instances the reported nose-gear defects have been rectified before being released back to service," he added : 7/5/2009
That's what concerned the Pilots!!!! This aircraft had a nose gear failure the day before and had been "fixed!" Stop the smoke and mirrors!! The "Faults" that an aircraft would be allowed to fly with could NEVER include Gear faults!!! 'common Mr. Brown!!
Ground them, fix them!! : 7/5/2009
Mr. Brown I am concerned that you appear so very casual about these matters. Perhaps you have everything under control and perhaps you may be displaying your confidence that all is well. However, you are not doing a good job of instilling confidence in your clients, the flying public. Ground the planes! Check them, fix them! Come back to us with absolute assurance!!
Flight fears : 7/5/2009
Whilst I am all for flight safety I can help but feel the piltos are using scare tactics to advance their agendas. The general public has no way of assessing the real risks so they will naturally ract with fear. The attitudes of the piltos is questionable.
Flight Fears : 7/5/2009
When there is no competition, and the regional travelling public has no choice, anything seems to go. I believe and have always said that there should be another carrier to compete with Liat. The service is poor they are not reliable and now you are suggesting that I might be at risk when travelling, and the funny thing is, I use Liat on a monthly basis due to business.
concerned : 7/5/2009
Hurrah to the pilots for making the general public aware of this situation, their nest step should e to get organize and refuse to fly these defective crafts untill these problems are effectively dealt with, after all its human lives they are dealing not cargo
Flight Fears : 7/5/2009
What a pity that these concerns could not be aired behind closed doors by the pilots and LIAT management, instead of being distastefuly being aired in public.
: 7/5/2009
Of course the pilots should be concerned. You should be too Mr Brown for two reasons: crew and passenger safety first and then further lost of revenue for your limping company. Thank God there has been no tragedy so far. DUMB
FLIGHT FEARS : 7/5/2009
Mr. Brown I do hope LIAT reported the problem with the landing gear to the manufactures,this is a great concern to the travelling public of the region.It boddles my mind to read that an independent mechanical engineer can freely say an aircraft is still safe to fly with some "FAULTS" I wonder what kind of engines he work on and please give us some examples the kind of "FAULTS" any aircraft can or should fly.REMEMBER MR. BROWN THEIR ARE PEOPLE LIVES HERE THAT CAN BE LOST BECAUSE OF THE SILLY NONSENCE LIAT AND YOUR PILOTS ARE CONDUCTING,i WOULD ADVISE ALL THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC DEMAND BETTER SERVICE FROM LIAT,IT'S LONG OVERDUE.
Flight Fears : 7/5/2009
not good... not good at all...
Flight fears : 7/5/2009
Well, at least nothing disastrous has come as yet. I hope that Liat executive will take serious action to correct the problems identified now and not procrastinate to allow sufficient time for disaster to come to the fore.
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