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.