Caribbean Airlines 737 Overran Runway, Broke In Half. No Fatalities Reported

The NTSB has sent a team of investigators  to assist the government of Guyana with its investigation into Saturday's accident at Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Georgetown, Guyana, involving a scheduled passenger flight.

On July 30, 2011, at approximately 0125 EDT, Caribbean Airlines flight 523, (Trinidad & Tobago registration 9Y-PBM), en route from Trinidad to Guyana, overran the runway during landing at Cheddi Jagan International Airport in Guyana. Preliminary information from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) indicated that one serious and multiple minor injuries were reported aboard the Boeing 737-800, carrying 156 passengers and six crewmembers. Media reports including the French news service AFP indicate that the aircraft broke in half after attempting the landing in heavy rain and fog. The flight, which originated in New York, reportedly touched down about half way down the runway and went through a fence before coming to a stop in a grassy area.

The NTSB designated Bob Benzon as the U.S. Accredited Representative. He is leading the U.S. team, which includes seven NTSB staff with expertise in operations, meteorology, airworthiness, survival factors, and aircraft performance as well as representatives from the FAA and Boeing.

The Guyana CAA is leading the accident investigation. The accident aircraft recorders have been recovered and, at the request of the CAA, will be transported to NTSB headquarters in Washington, DC to be downloaded.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov