Hanoi (VNA) –The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has issued an instruction onensuring aviation safety after recent incidents, especially the landing of aVietnam Airlines’ flight in a runway that has not been ready to use in Cam RanhInternational Airport in the south central province of Khanh Hoa.

Under the Instruction119/CT-CHK dated May 2, the CAAV asked Vietnam Airlines’ pilots to makethorough preparations prior to flights including updating themselves on informationof the scheduled flight and study the structure of the landing airport, while makingearly contact with the air traffic control station of the landing airport toget meteorological information as well as landing methods and runway.

The pilot must doublecheck important information, strictly adhere to aviation regulations, andimmediately report on unusual signs that may confuse the pilot and threaten thefight’s safety.

Earlieron April 29, Vietnam Airlines’ flight VN-7344, which departed from Ho Chi MinhCity at 2:00 pm carrying a seven-member crew and 203 passengers, landed on a runwaythat was under construction at Cam Ranh International Airport in Khanh Hoa at2:53 pm the same day. No passenger or crew member was hurt.

Allcrewmembers of the fights have been suspended for investigation.

TheCAAV also asked the Airports Corporation of Vietnam and Cam Ranh InternationalAirport to strengthen supervision of the investor and contractor’s work in ensuringsecurity and safety of the runway construction project.

Instantmeasures must be applied to warn flights landing in the airport of the conditionof the unfinished runway, stated the instruction.

TheVietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation and the air traffic control unit ofCam Ranh Airport were told to intensify the supervision of aircraft’s movementsince they approach the airport for landing until they exit the runway in orderto timely prevent incidents similar to that on April 29.

Relevantagencies were also asked to review their operations to ensure aviation safety,while consulting the CAAV on the issuance of necessary documents to preventsimilar incidents.
Vietnam Airlines said on May 2 thatimmediately after the incident, the airline had coordinated closely with theCAAV and competent agencies to investigate the case.

Vietnam Airlines also convened an emergencymeeting for the entire system and reviewed the carrier’s operations at Cam RanhInternational Airport and other airports so as not to repeat similar incidents.

It said mistakes committed by the flightcrew were an important reason for the April 29 wrongful landing and pledged tocontinue to coordinate closely with the investigation group of the CAAV andcompetent agencies to clarify the incident and trace other reasons of concernedparties in order to make official conclusions.

Following the incident, the flight’scaptain reported the incident on his own and committed to complying to allrequirements to serve the investigation work of competent agencies.-VNA