(CMR) Cayman Airways VP-CAY 737-300 is retiring after 16 years in service to the Cayman Islands. The 28-year-old plane had a famous emergency landing last September in Orlando, Florida due to a serious warning light that appeared in the cockpit. The retirement occasion today was commemorated with a water cannon salute.
CMR announced shortly thereafter that the plane was already scheduled to be sold to a cargo company and was due to be taken out of commission before last summer. Her retirement as a commercial airliner was delayed due to the issues with the Boeing Max 8 planes which were grounded after several fatal crashes last year.
We received video footage last week that showed that two Max 8 planes were back in the Cayman Islands.
It is not just a matter of sending out two fire engines and turning on the water cannons – the engines need to be positioned carefully, in safe locations, allowing enough space for the plane to pass through. The wind direction needs to be taken into account as well, and the process must be coordinated together with Air Traffic Control. It’s also important for the pilot to announce the water salute to the passengers on board the plane – otherwise, the sight of fire engines and flashing lights just after landing might cause a panic.
- Fascinated
- Happy
- Sad
- Angry
- Bored
- Afraid