UPDATE: Unfavourable winds & temperature stalled AA Flight 3989 – BVIAA’s Kurt A.G. Menal
The Managing Director in a statement today, June 5, 2023, said American Airlines operates at Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport with restrictions on passenger loads on departure as a result of the current runway length constraints.
“The airline also has further restrictions that are required to be incorporated into their operational planning should they have to depart from a different direction than normal.”
As such, he said there was a delay encountered prior to the departure of the flight from the T.B. Lettsome International Airport Sunday, June 4, 2023, where all aircraft operating at the airport were forced to depart using runway 25 from the east instead of runway 07 from the west.
“Runway 25 is approximately 295 feet shorter than runway 07 and the temperatures and winds were not favourable at the scheduled time of American Airline’s departure,” Mr Menal added.
Weight of aircraft had to be reduced – BVIAA Director
He said as such, after careful consideration, the pilot in command of flight #3989 made a decision to reduce the weight on the aircraft ahead of take-off to ensure the safety of all passengers on board and its safe operations as it was departing from another direction.
“The payload was reduced when the airline removed all passengers’ luggage following which it departed the Territory.”
Additionally, Mr Menal said American Airlines Client Service Department was in contact with the affected passengers and has since undertaken the necessary steps to have all luggage depart the Territory today, June 5, 2023, and delivered to their respective owners.
The statement also added that American Airlines sincerely apologises for any inconvenience caused to passengers as a result of the required safety measures that were undertaken.
See previous article published June 5, 2023
AA flight reportedly faced delays over short runway, heavy plane @ Beef Island
- AA Flight 3989 on Sunday, June 4, 2023, current being assessed over ‘Irregular Operation’
Officials at the BVI Airports Authority (BVIAA) and American Airlines are working to assess the reason behind an American Airlines flight to Miami being delayed at take-off at Beef Island sometime yesterday, Sunday, June 4, 2023.
The BVIAA in a statement today, June 5, 2023, said as it relates to AA Flight 3989, an assessment of operation is underway over ‘Irregular Operation’ on the date in question
The Authority added that a full statement will be released to the public following the conclusion of the assessment.
Meanwhile, sources at the BVIAA have since confirmed that the matter is related to issues that arose before take-off, where it was realised that the plane was reportedly too heavy for the short runway at Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport.
BVIAA awaiting "more plausible explanation" - Source
Our news centre understands that passengers and cargo had to be removed from the aircraft in order to make the flight possible, in an ordeal described as scary by a passenger on the plane.
The passenger also alleged that the plane had to burn off fuel ahead of the take-off.
Sources within the BVIAA told our news centre a more plausible expiation will be released as soon as word is received from American Airlines on what happened.
Our news centre will bring more information as it becomes available.
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51 Responses to “UPDATE: Unfavourable winds & temperature stalled AA Flight 3989 – BVIAA’s Kurt A.G. Menal”
LOOK AT THE ISSUES ALREADY OCCURRING ON THE RUNWAY.
They quick to USE God to attempt to SWAY VOTES by bringing gospel artists during election while acting holy. The same Premier was in church last year claiming to be remorseful and repentant after the former disgraced Premier's alleged criminal activities.
Now, he got elected, look the secular show being put on.
NO-ONE CARES ABOUT THROWING A CONCERT FOR DIRECT FLIGHTS TO THE BVI!!
THE FLIGHTS ARE HERE - MOVE ON TO SENSIBLY INVESTING IN THE ECONOMY INCLUDING THAT RUNWAY!
YOU WOULD THINK IT'S THEIR FIRST TIME SEEING A LARGE PLANE SMH!
It’s only going to get worst as the temps increase for the summer.
Foolishness
Let's stop fiddling while Rome is burning.
BTW get on with doing West End Ferry Terminal, but with a footprint that is less dense and less costly!
and the ppl on VG have to inhale all the jet wash when those large planes are taking off. Not to mention the unbearable noice
what they mean is the useable ru way is different in one direction than the other...not sure why that is....something to do with the construction ???
cant believe that when they were deciding if this aircraft could take off from here that they didn't take into account having to take off in the abnormal direction ( towards the West).
maybe each passenger should be weighed along with their bags..there should be a maximum combined weight that each individual is allowed to travel.
We tired of you all crap. We work to hard to be out here begging for our monies. Everybidy the goveenment put in charge keep theifing the d**m money. Give us what u owe he. Everyday is lies and more loes to covee like. Bvi electricity get there increments. Socail security board. Wth wrong with port. Only bringing a set of people who dont like other peoole. We got families to feed to first quarter done gine and not even a memo to explain why we still waiting for our own sh*t. You guys need to come clean tell us where our monies gone. Who went with it.
An extended air strip is a must before inviting various aircraft types into the territory
look at the example u using(from PR to here) because the beef island runway needs to extend
out of the same PR, fights goes to all other caribbean destinations without any issue(ample runways)
when it comes to business development one should not put the cart before the horse
here we have an administration going to spend substantial tax payers money; all excited however there are some serious short comings
the safety of the passengers comes first
I am extremely happy to see Envoy/ Eagle once again in the B.V.I ; but safety should be our main consideration. I would love to see fast improvement with this temporary flights ,as it's tedious travelling via St. Thomas and becoming just as costly as travelling through Tortola.