Latest update January 6th, 2025 4:00 AM
GCAA continues probe of Fenix Airways plane crash
…pilot to be interviewed today
The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has not stated how soon it expects to conclude its investigation into Saturday’s plane crash, but should be questioning the pilot today.
Investigators continue to probe Saturday’s mishap
GCAA’s Director General Zulfikar Mohamed told Kaieteur News that the agency is moving ahead with its investigations. He said that while nothing substantial has surfaced, investigators are supposed to interview the pilot, Raul Seecharran today.
Mohamed added that the passengers are also scheduled to be interviewed, but a date will have to be set for that. This will be done after all passengers have received requisite medical attention and are confirmed to be in healthy conditions.
Fenix Airways Administration and Finance Manager, Eddie Deolall told this newspaper that the pilot, Raul Seecharran, was discharged from hospital yesterday, while two other passengers were treated and sent away.
The pilot, in addition to three passengers (a male and two females), were onboard the light aircraft when it overturned during take-off.
The aircraft was said to be destined for Kato, Region Eight when it encountered difficulty in taking off. Reports are that the plane attempted lift off about three times before coming back to the ground, veering off the runway, flipped and landed upside down a short distance away from the airport fence.
So far, Deolall said, the partly damaged aircraft has been taken back to its hangar for further examination to be done. Kaieteur News was however unable to ascertain the extent of damage the passenger/ cargo plane sustained.
Fenix had suspended all flights following Saturday’s mishap but flights have now resumed. The mishap also resulted in outgoing flights being delayed.
Deolall mentioned, however, that hopes are high that the aviation agency’s probe will be concluded before weekend. Mr. Ankar Doobay is said to be heading the investigation.
Saturday’s accident is among one of a few non-fatal mishaps that have occurred within recent times involving internal flights. Early last year, another domestic aircraft, a Britten Norman Islander was landing on a return trip from Kurupung when it experienced a “partial brake seizure”. Six persons were on board but luckily, none were seriously injured.
In October last year, a small plane that had crash-landed on the island of Wakenaam in November 2011, crashed again as it tried to take off. The pilot was injured in this instance.
In April 2013, an Air Services Limited Cessna Caravan crashed in thick vegetation near Matthews’ Ridge after encountering rough weather. The pilot was Captain Feriel Ally. Twelve passengers and the pilot walked away without life-threatening injuries.
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