Cayman Airways plane damaged by private jet
Cayman Airways Express Saab 340 aircraft
(CNS): The Cayman Islands Airports Authority (CIAA) has launched an investigation into an incident last week in which the newly purchased Cayman Airways Express Saab 340 aircraft was damaged by a private jet at the airport on Grand Cayman. A release Wednesday morning by the airline said that on the night of Thursday, 24 March, the jet blast of a private aircraft that was maneuvering on the ramp at the Owen Roberts International Airport damaged the Saab, which was parked and secured for the night.
While Cayman Airways Limited (CAL) described the damage as minor, a release from the airline said the 34-seater Saab, which is used exclusively for the Cayman Brac to Grand Cayman route, had been removed from its upcoming scheduled operations in order to conduct the necessary repairs and is expected to resume service later this week. “During this period, Cayman Airways has made alternate scheduling and aircraft arrangements to ensure that all passengers are able to be accommodated with minimal inconvenience until the Saab is back in service,” the airline stated.
A spokesperson for the Airports Authority said, “The CIAA investigation into this incident is ongoing and once completed will be reviewed by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands. It would be improper to comment at this early point in the investigation.”
CAACI Director General Richard Smith confirmed to CNS that a release on the matter will be issued once the investigation is complete. However, he said that at this point in time he could not answer questions on “any legal infraction by the pilot or owner(s) of the private aircraft concerned or possible consequences. It would also be inappropriate to comment further until the investigation has been completed,” he added.
Cayman Airways CEO Fabian Whorms said that the Saab had been operating very reliably since its full launch into service, replacing the previously leased Embraer 120 in January.
“So to have this unanticipated removal from service over the Easter weekend was very disappointing,” he added. “Cayman Airways apologises for any inconvenience caused during this period and we thank our loyal customers for their continued support.”
Category: Local News
CNS the big news in this story is that the Saab was purchased. When did this happen? All along CAL has said that it was leased.
When you think about it, everything on these fair Islands is damaged by hot air. It does make a change that in this case it wasn’t coming from the LA.
If airport debris, propelled by a private jet’s thrust, damaged the CAL aircraft, then that is an airport cleanup/safety issue, in contrast to the headline’s implication that there was negligence on the part of the jet operator. There should be a reasonable expectation that there will be jet aircraft taxiing and maneuvering at an airport. Making the airport safe is the airport’s responsibility.
Too true. That is where the investigation should focus!
I hope they wrote it off so we can get a proper aircraft like the Embraer, which are far better Aircrafts!
English grammar can be challenging. Your idea is similar to writing off a Mercedes Benz to get a Fiat.
Thank you. Obviously you know proper English and grammer.. Poor me didnt get the privilege of a “proper education” like some of you. But i do know that the Embraer aircraft that ran before the Saab had to be called on several times when this Mercedes Benz of aircrafts was grounded.. So maybe a Fiat is the more reliable and economical choice!
Well don’t worry the Embraer will be back there today
The best place for this aircraft is ON THE GROUND. It has been nothing short of a disaster since the DP purchased it. Useless, outdated, obsolete and downright dangerous. It has spent more time on the ground for maintenance and repairs than in the air. Get rid of it.
Cayman is blessed to have so many aviation experts.
Yes, punching above our weights in all things aeronautical! Next we will want the unemployed to fly the aircraft as they are being denied the opportunities to do so. There is a bandwagon for Ms Rivers!
The problem is the CIAA and the CAACI don’t have any.
Yet another expert opinion 🙂
A few years from now they will undoubtedly build a hall to meet in annually and receive a monthly payment from the newly established Aviators Fund which we, the other people who work for a living will be required to fund.
All aircraft spend more time on the ground than in the air.. Fact!
Nonsense. 777 crossing the pacific do so on 13-16 legs and turn around in hours to do it over again. They dont see a hangar for 30 days where they might spend a couple of days. Average daily utilization is over 14 hours.