GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) — The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has launched a full investigation into a runway incursion incident, which resulted in a near-miss between a Caribbean Airlines aircraft and a Roraima Airways aircraft at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, earlier this week.
According to a statement from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, the incident occurred late Monday night.
The statement said that, based on preliminary investigations, the Roraima Airways aircraft was turning off the main runway, then apparently changed direction. That move resulted in both the Roraima Airways aircraft and the Caribbean Airlines jet being on the main runway at the same time.
The airport noted that its officials are working closely with the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority to conduct a full investigation of the incident and the circumstances that led to it.
The investigation is being led by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority.
According to News Source Guyana, in addition to securing statements from the pilots of the two aircraft, investigators will also be speaking to Air Traffic Controllers and ground agents who might have witnessed the incident. Voice recordings between the pilots and the Air Traffic Control Officers are to be reviewed as part of the probe.
The licenses for the pilots for the two airlines have been suspended, as the investigations continue.
The air traffic control officers who were manning the runway at the time have also been suspended.
Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, Egbert Field, said the incident was an unfortunate one that will be fully investigated.