The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Staff Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMASAIR is conducting an internal review of the circumstances that led to an engine fire on board a commercial flight to Eleuthera last week.

According to reports, the right engine of a Bahamasair Dash 8 aircraft caught fire during an early morning flight from Nassau to Rock Sound International Airport on Thursday.

The pilot was reportedly 25 miles away from the airport when the incident occurred.

A statement from the Ministry of Transport and Aviation read: “The plane landed safely with 46 passengers and three crew members on board, and the captain was able to extinguish the fire, utilising the engine’s internal extinguishing system.

“Portable fire extinguishers and water were also utilised to cool the tyres.

“The airport manager, Mr Phillip McPhee, has informed that the passengers and crew were able to exit the aircraft safely and swiftly.

“The public is informed that the principal maintenance inspector, and the principal operations inspector of the Flight Standards Unit of the Civil Aviation Department have commenced an immediate investigation into this incident, to determine the circumstances which led to the fire.”

In an interview with The Tribune yesterday, Civil Aviation Manager Hubert Adderley said the nation’s flagship carrier will conduct its own investigation as the incident did not result in an accident.

Mr Adderley said an accident, as defined by the International Civil Aviation Organisation occurs when a person is fatally or seriously injured; the aircraft sustains damage or structural failure; or if the aircraft is missing or is completely inaccessible.

He said Bahamasair officials have indicated that the company will be doing an internal review of the incident.

Calls placed to Bahamasair Managing Director Henry Woods were not returned up to press time.