Xiamen Air pilots test negative for drugs

August 20, 2018

Pilots of a Xiamen Air plane that skidded off the runaway at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Thursday evening, causing disruptions in flight schedules, tested negative for drugs.

“The results of the drug tests were negative. We still await the result of the alcohol tests because it would take a long process. But we expect to the results today. As we speak, there is an on-going investigation and interview with the pilots and the cabin crew,” CAAP Director General Jim Sydiongco said.

“The pilot in command or the captain is a Korean male, who is 50 years old and has a grand total time of 16,000 flying hours with 7,000 hours on the Boeing B737-800 aircraft type. The First Officer or the co-pilot is a Chinese male, 28 years old, with a grand total time of 950 flying hours and 750 hours on the Boeing B737-800 aircraft type,” he added.

Sydiongco said the two pilots were summoned on Monday by the CAAP to explain their side.

Sydiongco added that they are still waiting for the result of examination of the flight recorder which will be brought to Singapore.  “The result will take a week,” he said.

In another development, Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Ed Monreal said that Xiamen Air officials has agreed to spend over a million pesos for the cost of food and water for passengers stranded at the four terminals of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

"We suggested it and they agreed that they will do it immediately,” Monreal said after his meeting with Xiamen Air officials.

He said  Xiamen Air, who made their public apology through its social media, will be fined for the damaged done by its plane.

When asked why it took 36 hours before the aircraft was extricated from the mud, Monreal said  there is a difficulty because of the remaining fuel on the plane tank, weather – heavy rains, thunderstorms, and mud. DMS