Taiwan releases SIA pilots: Airline

Taiwan releases SIA pilots: Airline

SINGAPORE (AFP): Taiwan has freed the three Singapore Airlines
(SIA) pilots detained more than seven weeks since the crash of an
SIA plane that left 83 people dead in Taipei, an airline
spokesman said on Thursday.

"We wish to thank the Taiwanese authorities for allowing the
three pilots to return to Singapore. We are pleased that the
pilots have been released," an SIA spokesman said.

"We have provided our written assurance to the Taiwanese
authorities of our best efforts, within the provisions of
Singapore and international law, to ensure the pilots return to
Taipei if so required," the spokesman said.

He said the airline will "make an announcement later when the
pilots have returned home" but would not specify when.

But Singapore-based broadcaster Channel NewsAsia said Captain
Foong Chee Kong, a Malaysian, and Singaporean co-pilots Latiff
Cyrano and Ng Kheng Leng left Taipei aboard an SIA flight for
Singapore on Thursday evening.

The three, who survived the Oct. 31 crash, were to have been
sent home Dec. 15, at the end of an investigation into their role
in the accident.

Los Angeles-bound flight SQ006, carrying 179 passengers and
crew, crashed into construction equipment and burst into flames
in a mistaken attempt to take off during a storm on a runway that
was closed for repairs.

Their release had been delayed by a demand from Taiwan
prosecutors that either the SIA chief executive or president sign
a legal commitment to return the pilots if required for further
inquiry, Channel NewsAsia said.