Runway clear of plane debris

An issue with potential debris on the runway at Owen Roberts International Airport in Grand Cayman, which necessitated runway checks following several Cayman Airways flight movements, has now been resolved. 

Cayman Airways told the Compass that it has recently completed a full replacement and upgrade of certain non-critical pieces of hardware installed on its B737-300 brake units. 

This was a proactive measure, the airline said, after routine inspections revealed that these non-critical parts could become loose with the possibility of being deposited on the runway during landing or takeoff.  

Since loose hardware on the runway could pose a risk of causing damage to any aircraft using the runway, while the replacement programme was under way, the airline worked with the respective airports served to ensure that the runways were inspected as frequently as necessary.  

“Our foremost concern is always safety and we appreciate the patience of our passengers and the various airport operators during the period of extra precaution, while the upgrade was being accomplished,” said Fabian Whorms, president and chief executive officer of Cayman Airways.  

Stringent safety  

Nicoela McCoy, the deputy director-general of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands, said that Cayman Airways, in common with every civil aviation authority-licensed air operator certificate holder, was “subject to rigorous and stringent safety oversight programmes that are incorporated into everyday maintenance and operations”. 

“A comprehensive safety management system is incorporated in the approved maintenance programmes, which includes required checks and inspections of the aircraft by qualified maintenance personnel prior to every flight. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands also employs a programme of safety oversight inspections and surveys with these operators to support the defined maintenance programmes. 

“There are many factors that could lead to the decision to ground an aircraft. Such a decision is determined by the circumstances concerned with each particular case. In general, an aircraft would be grounded by the operator or the regulatory authority if the operation of the aircraft is deemed to be unsafe,” she said. 

This was not the case with the B737-300 aircraft flown by Cayman Airways. 

Jeremy Jackson, chief executive officer of the Cayman Islands Airports Authority, explained that runway inspections took place on a regular basis. 

“To comply with international and local standards, which requires the authority to ensure that the runway at Owen Roberts International Airport is clear of foreign object debris, and runway markings and lighting systems are satisfactory, inspections of the runway pavement surfaces and aircraft movement areas are carried out frequently,” Mr. Jackson said. 

“Frequency of inspections are monitored closely and increased when necessary.”