AA 331 crash in Jamaica

MAYDAY AIR JAMAICA

Let us unite in the diaspora to take back our country from corruption and decadence...stand up for truth and integrity ..stand up for victimized workers, and the right of our traveling public and visitors to our island right to safe skies, where air safety is not dictated by politics and politicians but by the people with the knowledge of how to ensure safe skies. The sale of Air Jamaica to foreign interest is not in our national interest let us support JALPA and the Air Jamaica workers in their bid to acquire our national airline. Politicians have silenced air safety issues in Air Jamaica and placed us all at risk. Now we have the national asset being sold to Caribbean Airlines while the pilots are prepared to acquire and /or should be assisted with the workers in acquiring the airline. Together we can begin to stem this corruption, do justice to our workers and influence the sale of our only remaining national asset. Business-man Gordon Butch Stewart successfully operated and grew the airline, during his ownership. We now seem again to require both his capital and expertise. Mr Stewart who presided during the period where I was unjustly dismissed was therefore unjustly enriched during the same period. What is proposed is that my claim as outlined below against the Jamaican government is for US $26 million, Mr Stewart, then as an angel investor who previously benefitted from the airlines, would now match this sum and provide this as operating capital over the short term, take an equity position and provide management while additional financing is sought. The government of Jamaica should advise the IMF that they have settled with me and given the settlement to the pilots representing their purchase and for an additional $1.00 should transfer ownership while providing an initial line of credit for the first year operating cash requirements to assist the workers. This would benefit all the Jamaican people, provide a plan to stop the drain on the taxpayer, while providing the employment our country so desperately needs and more importantly recognize the role of the tourist sector and its participants. Mr Butch Stewart has to be involved in the resolution of both the sale of Air Jamaica and damages flowing from my unjust dismissal and victimization during which he was unjustly enriched. The Hon. Portia Simpson-Miller removed my matter via the attorney general from the Supreme Court in Sept 2006. This is the only politician with a demonstrated integrity from either party in the matter of Air Jamaica and its workers. Again I call upon the leader of the opposition for assistance, beyond just the pilots and to the workers of Jamaica, as once again the airline is under siege.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mayday Air Jamaica advises the travelling public against the use of foreign carriers into Jamaica during inclement weather.

Organization says that lack of and/or unserviceable airport equipment combined with inclement weather could have seriously compromised the crew of American Airlines Flight 331 which crashed landed in Jamaica last Tuesday Dec 22. 09.

Miami Dec 29 09- A former president of the Jamaica Airline Pilots Association (JALPA) has sent an open letter to both Spirit and American Airlines advising of the high potential for disaster, and requested that they exercise extreme care when dispatching flights into Jamaica in marginal weather and not use Jamaican airports as alternates under any circumstances until the NTSB report is final.

Wesley Sampson and his organization, Mayday Air Jamaica (http://www.maydayairjamaica.com) had earlier on Nov 19 09, in an open letter to Spirit re; their bid to purchase Air Jamaica, expressed grave concerns over the safety of the international travelling public into Jamaica, and the callous attitude of the Jamaican authorities in this regard.

“We note where the FAA had previously downgraded the islands airports, which status although reinstated remains questionable, where emergency equipment and facilities are concerned, as this accident shows. It is not reasonable to assume or expect that two experienced American Airlines pilots, trained to the highest standards of aviation safety, simply flew into Jamaica and crashed landed in routine operations” said Sampson

Mayday Air Jamaica, strongly advises the travelling public not to use foreign carriers in inclement weather conditions, to await the findings of the NTSB and the supervision of the Jamaican government in implementation of the recommended corrective procedures.

Contact W. Sampson email admin@maydayairjamaica.com or Tel: 786 340 4173

OPEN LETTER TO SPIRIT AIRLINES AND AMERICAN AIRLINES RE aa 331 CRASH LANDING IN Jamaica

Dec 29. 09

President Spirit Air Lines

President and CEO: B. Ben Baldanza

2800 Executive Way
Miramar, FL 33025

Without Prejudice

An open letter to Spirit Airlines and American Airlines;

Dear President Baldanza

On Nov 19 09, I wrote to you in an open letter re; the reported bid by Spirit Airlines to purchase Air Jamaica.

In this letter I informed you of the state of the industry and indicating that as it related to matters of Air Safety all was not well in Jamaica.

It is now with deep regret over what could possibly have been avoided, had I copied American Airlines, and availed them of the circumstances in Jamaica, and the ongoing potential for an aircraft accident to become a major disaster that I am again obliged to address your office. As such, and as a result of the accident on 12-22-09, please note the following enclosure and we will copy your counterpart at American Airlines.

The Jamaican government to include the Civil Aviation Department, and Air Jamaica, has and remains negligent in not ensuring the provision of proper airport equipment and the emergency facilities required which is standard in the industry. This was clearly demonstrated in the aftermath of the crash landing of AA331.

The Jamaican government, The Civil Aviation Department and Air Jamaica were all along aware that proper maintenance, monitoring and corrective action at the two international airports has always been compromised. It has been the input of corrupt politicians, whereby employees fear for their lives and jobs if unsafe conditions are addressed, and they try to implement international safety standards to which operators like your selves expect and are entitled to.

We note where the FAA had previously downgraded the islands airports, which although reinstated, clearly remains questionable where emergency equipment and facilities are concerned.

It is not reasonable to assume that an experienced flight crew trained to the high safety standards of American Airlines simply flew into Jamaica and crashed during routine operations in a rain shower. As president and because of pilot fatigue on westbound flights from Europe into Jamaica coupled with local airport concerns, I had requested that a low level wind shear alert system be installed at our airports. In addition we have, on several occasions, requested that a stop way be constructed at the end of RWY 12, and precisely because of the ditch effect of the road and the potential for aircraft break up.

We have experienced an instance where Air Jamaica aircraft returning to Kingston to land after a failed engine on departure to Miami, declared an emergency and requested that emergency equipment be on standby for landing at the estimated landing time. In that case the ambulances showed up over an hour after the passengers were safely disembarked.

We have had an instance where a passenger choked while eating a meal on the ground at the gate on board the aircraft. First aid was administered; the crew called for medical assistance, there was no nurse on the airport. The passenger died. Most recently press reports state where police in Jamaica said that there were no stretchers available at the scene of the American Airlines crash landing past Tuesday.

Air Jamaica crew have become accustomed to operating in this locally compromised atmosphere at their home base, and for love of country and duty continue, while being unable to address these failed standards. Please understand their limitations.

However there is no need for foreign carriers to expose themselves and their passengers to this strong potential for catastrophic disaster including loss of life.

As such we are pleading with you and American Airlines to await the full report of the NTSB and the FAA prior to dispatching any flights into Jamaica under inclement weather and not use our airports as alternate facilities until you have sent in your own teams to verify compliance and adequate emergency response and airport facilities.

Accordingly we have advised the travelling public to be circumspect and avoid using foreign carriers into Jamaica as requested above for the safety of your passengers and crew.

Best regards,

Wesley Sampson email; admin@maydayairjamaica.com

cc; American Airlines, Prime Minister Jamaica; FAA, NTSB, APA et al.