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What: Caribbean Airlines Boeing 737-832(WL) en route from Trinidad to Timehri
Where: Cheddi Jagan International Airport,SYCJ,Georgetown,Guyana
When: July 30, 2011 1:30 am
Who: 162 aboard 157 passengers, six crews
Why: Landing in wet weather, the plane made a hard landing, overshot the runway 100 meters, smashed through a perimeter fence and on a perimeter road. It broke in two, the front section splitting ahead of the wing. There were 52 injuries who went to the hospital, 3 with serious injuries who were held over at the hospital, and no fatalities. The worst injury reported was a broken leg. The plane overshot the runway but stopped short of a ravine. Passengers smelled fuel, and opened a door, and climbed through to the wing and jumped down.
The airport is closed, causing incoming flights to have to divert elsewhere.
STATEMENT FROM CARIBBEAN AIRLINES
Port-of-Spain, 30 July 2011, 17.00 HOURS local time: Caribbean Airlines BW523 en route from Port of Spain, Trinidad to Georgetown, Guyana was involved in an incident at the Cheddi Jaggan International Airport at approximately 1:32am today 30 July, 2011.
There were 157 passengers and 6 crew members on board, all of whom were accounted for.
A Caribbean Airlines team consisting of technical support staff and executives was dispatched immediately to the accident site to assist passengers, and to work with the local authorities in the emergency response and investigations. The Caribbean Airlines executive team and technical support staff are at the scene to offer full support to the injured in Georgetown. A relatives/customer assistance hotline has been established at our emergency centre in Piarco, and counselling is being provided to passengers and family members.
A press conference was held earlier today in Georgetown just after midday. In attendance were Chairman- George M. Nicholas III, Head Corporate Communications- Mrs. Laura Asbjornsen, Vice President Operations – Captain Thomas Lawrence and Vice President Maintenance and Engineering – Mr Colville Carrington. It was confirmed that the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority will be spearheading the investigation and will be assisted by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in the U.S. and the Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Authority (TTCAA).
The team ensured that its CARE policy for affected passengers and crew was deployed in Georgetown. The airline has engaged the services of a company from the United States, together with regional personnel to implement in accordance with this policy.
All enquiries related to this specific incident should be directed to:-
Trinidad & Tobago: 1 868 669 2902
United States: 1 800 786 3891
Canada: 1 800 380 6057
Caribbean: 1 800 744 6453
The latest statements can also be accessed online at www.caribbean-airlines.com.
Caribbean Airlines will continue to release information as it becomes available.
The next press conference is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. local time at the AIRPORTS AUTHORITY OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, VIP Lounge, Piarco International Airport
