Taiwan frees crash pilots

The plane was on the wrong runway

Taiwan has released the three pilots of the Singapore Airlines (SIA) plane that crashed in Taipei killing 83 people.

Foong Chee Kong, the Malaysian pilot, and first officers Ng Kheng Leng, and Latif Cyrano, both Singaporeans, had been barred from leaving the island while investigators tried to find the cause of the 31 October accident.

An SIA spokesman said they had assured the Taiwanese authorities they would try to ensure the pilots returned to Taipei if required.

The Los Angeles-bound jumbo crashed with 179 people on board as it tried to take off from the wrong runway in a heavy storm.

The runway had been closed for repairs and the plane appears to have smashed into construction equipment.

The plane appears to have hit machinery

"We wish to thank the Taiwanese authorities for allowing the three pilots to return to Singapore," the 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."

SIA has accepted responsibility for the accident - the first in its 28-year history.