Cebu Pacific to comply with CAAP’s decision as two of its pilots are suspended

Cebu Pacific was asked to comply with CAAP’s action plan. This means the former will have to reassess their accountable executives and station managers, hold random sampling of flight crew capabilities as regards unusual situations in the flight simulator, reassess their turn-around time policy and have them grant unrestricted access to CAAP flight inspectors so that the former may conduct heightened performance monitoring.

By DAVAO TODAY

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The airline company Cebu Pacific said it will “comply with all the recommendations” the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has indicated in its Notice of Decision dated June 25.

“Safety has always been the highest priority for Cebu Pacific. We aim to provide the safest airline service possible for the millions of passengers who travel with us every year,” the statement read.

This after CAAP has sanctioned two of its pilots who figured in a runway mishap at the Francisco Bangoy International Airport (FBIA) last June 2.

After CAAP’s investigation on the incident, it was found out that Captain Antonio Roehl Oropesa and First Officer Edwin Perello were liable “for non-compliance with a number of Philippine Civil Aviation Regulations (PCAR).”

Oropesa will be suspended for six months. After his suspension, which is subject to compliance with the requirements for the reinstatement of his Airline Transport Pilot License, he will act only as Second-in-Command for a period of one year.

His liabilities include the non-adherence of PCAR provisions relating to Operation below Decision Height or Minimum Descent Altitude, Emergency Evacuation Demonstration and Cockpit Checklist Procedure.

Meanwhile, Perello will be suspended for three months subject to his compliance with the requirements for the reinstatement of his Commercial Pilot License.

He was liable with the non-compliance of PCAR provisions relating to Emergency Evacuation Demonstration as well as the Cockpit Checklist Procedure.

The sanctions against the two will take effect “upon receipt of the order,” according to the CAAP’s statement emailed to davaotoday.com Thursday (Jun. 27).

CAAP’s investigation involved conducting interviews with their personnel, firemen, cabin crew, and the pilots; reviewing of the transcripts of the control tower, approach control, and those found in the cockpit voice recorder; and performing of visual inspections of both the runway and the aircraft. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Board of Singapore supported the said investigation through an animation it made.

Simulated touchdown of Cebu Pacific Flight 5J-971. (Photo courtesy of CAAP)

CAAP said the evaluation must be completed not later than July 31 and findings of any continuing systemic failure during the sampling exercise “will result to the suspension of Cebu Pacific operation.”

Following the recommendations, the airline company took “additional initiatives” which include the enhancement of their current training curriculum to include additional focus on wet runway landings, “go-arounds,” specific training for inclement weather and non-precision approaches; implementation of enhanced pilot training curriculum by Airbus standardized trainers at the Philippine Academy for Aviation Training; and an independent review of their flight operation systems and processes by Airbus Industries.

Cebu Pacific’s Airbus 320-213 with Flight No. 5J-971 rolled out of the FBIA tarmac upon landing. It was immobilized 845 meters from its point of touchdown. It was only removed from the grassy part of the runway three days after affecting the local economy with an estimated loss of PHP 250 Million. (davaotoday.com)