ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, January 11, 2010 – The management of LIAT (1974) LTD wishes to inform that LI 771 travelling from Antigua to St. Lucia on Sunday 10th January 2010, with 25 passengers on board, returned to the V.C. Bird International Airport shortly after take-off, as a precautionary measure when an indicator light illuminated in the cockpit.
Upon return to home base, the aircraft was examined by the company’s maintenance staff and underwent various checks as stipulated by the manufacturer’s maintenance manual.
The aircraft departed later in the day for St. Lucia, but once again the Captain took the decision to return to Antigua following a repeat of the incident with the indicator light.
As a precautionary procedure, emergency services were on standby on both occasions and the landings were uneventful with no damage to passengers or the aircraft. In both instances the captains carried out the manufacturer’s recommendations.
All of the affected passengers have since been accommodated on other LIAT services.
LIAT (1974) LTD takes the opportunity to apologise to its passengers for any inconvenience that may have occurred as a result of these incidents.
(PRESS RELEASE)
On December 2, my family and I left Trinidad at around 6:05 a.m. bound for Dominica on LIAT. We only got to D/ca the next morning, because we were inconveniently routed via Barbados and Antigua, and when we were about to leave Antigua shortly before 5 p.m. the aircraft developed a similar problem to the one experienced on LI771 (and of course, we have no night landing–at least not yet!). I guess it says that LIAT’s badly needs a fleet upgrade. The company should treat this as a matter of urgency. Hats off to those brave pilots.
LIAT tired embarrass us…I heard there is a “jet” making straight flights from Miami to DA is that true??
very good captain u cared for peoples life as well as yours
While you’ll were servicing the planes which are most important please remember next time to also service the passengers who were waiting for 12 hours on an airport that can barely accommodate one flight – what about the compensation for the time wasted and the mistreatment received at the GFL Charles Airport!! The deserved these explanations at the time it occurred – to help alleviate the frustration!
Signed – Passenger of LI 771
LIAT again!
Hats off to the captain but boooooooooo to the company. Looks like they waiting fro one of these planes to fall before they get new aircrafts. I pray for LIAT
This is standard comercial airline procedure to abort a flight or land an aircraft at the nearest possible airport. What I don’t understand is why they couldn’t have used another airplane whilst this one was being repaired would’ve saved considerable time and money
I think that the captain made the right decision to follow the guidlines of the manufacture, because people lives are at stake here, bravo captain, all in all i think liat has one of the best pilots out there people
L-I-A-T : note L-eaving, I-sland, A-ny, T-ime. But hearts of to the captain and the apology. no wonder my flight from grenada was late. LOL!
thats good of the captain,,,,
This was a decision of the flight captains which showed great responsibility and a concern for the safety of the passengers. It is hoped that in future the ground maintenance team in servicing makes sure of the security of the plane before allowing a second take off.
A good although perhaps a scarey decision by the crew. A plus for LIAT?
I commend the captains in control for their decision to return back to antigua the second time even after the maintenance crew saw nothing wrong the first time. you just cant gamble with people’s life.