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PIA clarifies report on Flight 3805
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Posted on May 18 2004
Pacific Islands Aviation clarified yesterday that one of its plane was forced to return to Saipan Friday morning because a safety-monitoring device that is associated with the landing gear was not functioning properly.
The PIA statement clarified that there is no truth to a report that came out that its Flight #3805 was diverted from its normal routing and flown to Saipan due to a faulty landing gear.
“A review of events confirms that at no time during the flight was there risk to passenger safety. Second, contrary to erroneous, carelessly written reports quoting CPA managing director Carlos Salas that have appeared in some media, the aircraft’s landing gear in question was fully operational at all times, as the routine landing on Saipan attests,” the statement said.
It said that the flight crew observed a safety-monitoring device that is associated with the landing gear was not functioning properly. “The crew performed the checklist mandated by Federal Aviation Administration procedures for such occurrences. As a precaution the flight returned to Saipan. The Crash Fire and Rescue team was notified and stood by during the uneventful landing. Upon inspection a broken wire was found to have caused the problem. The plane was returned to service the same afternoon.”
The company said it wishes to point out and make clear that the plane was diverted from Rota back to Saipan due of an improperly operating safety monitoring device. “All required emergency procedures, including notification of the Saipan tower, were appropriately followed. The plane landed on Saipan without incident.”
PIA operates Shorts SD-360 aircraft manufactured in accordance with 14 CFR Part 25, “Transport Category” aircraft, and as such has an ongoing working relationship with the FAA and the manufacturer to detect and identify potential opportunities that improve the aircraft operational systems and safety.
For accurate and complete information concerning Pacific Island Aviation’s flight operations, the public is urged to contact the airline’s Director of Safety, Jim Stowell at (670) 234-3679.
