Xiamen Air black box analysis known today

MANILA, Philippines — Civil aviation officials investigating last month’s runway accident involving Xiamen Air at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) have arrived from Singapore to announce the results of the analysis of the passenger plane’s flight data recorder.

Sources said officials from the Aircraft Accident Investigation and Inquiry Board (AAIIB) brought with them on Friday the result of the transcription of the conversation between the Xiamen Air pilots and the control tower and the condition of the aircraft before it skidded off the NAIA runway on Aug. 16.

AAIIB chief Rommel Ronda and Renier Baculinao submitted the results to CAAP director general Jim Sydiongco, who is expected to announce today the results of the plane’s flight data recorder analysis in Singapore.

Officials said if the results turned out to be pilot’s error, the Xiamen Air management will decide what penalty or sanction will apply. The pilot is expected to justify his cause but he would be facing suspension or removal from the service. 

The AAIIB took the black box and data flight recorder to Singapore to determine what exactly happened during the conversation between the Xiamen Airlines pilots and the Manila Control Tower and the status of the Boeing 737-800 before it landed heavily and skidded off the runway during a heavy downpour.

The Senate began its investigation into the incident last week but civil aviation officials stressed before lawmakers the need to know the contents of the flight data recorder to determine what really happened.

The Senate hearing also focused on the need for the government to build another international gateway to decongest NAIA.

The passenger plane, Xiamen Air flight MF8667, skidded off the runway close to midnight of Aug. 16.

Officials said NAIA Terminal 1 was the most affected by the accident. The airport terminal was closed to all air traffic following the accident and reopened after almost 36 hours, affecting tens of thousands of passengers of cancelled and delayed flights.