CAAP Suspends Cebu Pacific Pilots

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has suspended the pilot and co-pilot of the Cebu Pacific plane that skidded off the runway of the Davao International Airport early this month — a mishap that paralyzed the airport’s operations for almost two days, Gma news online news reported.
Captain Antonio Roehl Oropesa is suspended for six months and barred to pilot an aircraft for one year while co-pilot First Officer Edwin Perello was suspended for three months said CAAP Deputy Director General John Andrews at a press briefing Tuesday according the the gma online news.

“After the lapse of the six-month suspension and compliance with the requirements for the reinstatement of the Airline Transport Pilot License, [Oropesa] will act only as Second-In-Command for a period of one year,” Andrews said.

He said the pilot did not follow the provisions of the Philippine Civil Air Regulations on the “minimum descent altitude” required for landing a plane.

On June 2, Cebu Pacific Flight 5J-971 skidded off the runway of Davao International Airport. One of the aircraft’s 165 passengers said he saw one of the plane’s engines burning seconds before they landed.

In a television report aired at GMA’s “24 Oras,” Cesar Apolinario reported that the CAAP investigation also recommended Cebu Pacific to increase its fuel allowance from three minutes to 15 minutes worth of flying time.

The CAAP said Cebu Pacific should adjust its turnaround time policy from 30 minutes to 45 minutes,Gma online news reported.

Source: Gma news online