Aircraft Accident Investigation Report

13 1.7 Meteorological information The Meteorological Service, Jamaica provided a report on the meteorological (MET) conditions around the time of the accident. Due to the close proximity (approximately 4 Nautical Miles) of the Tinson Pen Aerodrome to the Norman Manley International Airport, the same MET report is used in Air Traffic Service operations. There is no MET Service certified Automatic Weather Observation Station (AWOS) at Tinson Pen. The Meteorological Aerodrome Report (METAR) issued at 18:00 Universal Coordinated Time (UTC), 1pm Local time by the Meteorological Watch Office (MWO) located at the NMIA, reported Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) at the NMIA at the time of the accident. The METAR read as follows: “METAR MKJP 101800Z WIND 18005KT VIS 9999 CLDS FEW020 32/23 Q1012=” The METAR indicated that the wind at the NMIA was from the South, 180 degrees true, at five (5) knots. The prevailing visibility was 10 kilometers. Few clouds were observed at 2,000 Feet (FT) 4 . Air temperature was 32 degrees Celsius (̊ C) and the Dew Point was 23 ̊C. The air pressure was 1012 Hectopascals (HPA). A Special Met Observation at 18:50 UTC, 1:50pm Local time read: MKJP 101850Z 20008KT 9999 FEW020 SCT080 31/22 Q1012= The special observation indicated that the wind at the NMIA was from the South, 200 degrees true, at eight (8) knots. The prevailing visibility was 10 kilometers. Few clouds were observed at 2,000 Feet (FT) 5 . Air temperature was 31 degrees Celsius (̊ C) and the Dew Point was 22 ̊C. The air pressure was 1012 Hectopascals (HPA). A Special Radar Observation at 18:45 UTC 1:45pm Local and revealed no significant rainfall or clouds over the Kingston and St Andrew Area. The Flight Information Officer in charge of the watch reported that the flight crew received information on the surface winds and the altimeter setting before take-off. 1.8 Aids to Navigation The Aerodrome has no form of Visual Approach Slope Indicator System in place, end-of- runway lights were absent on Runway 14; other lighting and markings were deficient and aerodrome maintenance was generally lacking. 4 Above aerodrome elevation 5 Above aerodrome elevation