Media Division, Ministry of Information and The Arts,

36th Storey, PSA Building, 460 Alexandra Road, Singapore 119963.

Tel: 3757794/5

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On 25 August 1999, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Commission (AAIC) of Indonesia released an update on the investigation into the SilkAir MI 185 accident of 19 December 1997 near Palembang, Indonesia. The update was for the next-of-kin of the persons on board the MI 185 flight.
 

SilkAir in its press statement explained, among other things, that the pilots of the flight had passed their medical examinations, in accordance with pilot licensing requirements.
 

In response to press queries, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has provided the following clarification:-
 

a) Pilots holding Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) over the age of 40 and those holding Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) undergo medical examinations every six months. Pilots holding CPL under the age of 40 undergo medical examinations annually. (Captains of large aircraft are required to hold an ATPL while CPL holders are usually First Officers.)
 

b) Pilots are examined by Designated Medical Examiners approved by the Civil Aviation Medical Board (CAMB) of the CAAS. The medical examinations cover the physical and mental state of the pilots. The CAMB comprises medical experts in aviation medicine and other specialist medical fields. Based on the medical examination results, the CAMB will then decide on the pilots’ medical fitness. For every fourth medical check, in addition to the examination by the DME, the pilots will be examined by two doctors of the CAMB.

c) These medical examinations are in accordance with the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation and international best practices.
 

d) Both pilots on the MI 185 flight had passed their medical examinations. The pilot-in-command, Captain Tsu Way Ming, passed his medical examination on 10 October 1997 while his co-pilot, First Officer Duncan Ward, passed his medical examination on 4 June 1997.
 

For press enquiries, please contact:

Albert Tjoeng

Assistant Public Relations Manager, CAAS

DID: 541 2320

Pager: 9801 0079

Constanze Chia

Public Relations Officer, CAAS

DID: 541 2086

Pager: 9492 6514