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Ogle Plane Crash…Passengers confirm that pilot was texting during take off
By Zena Henry
Passengers on board the Fenix-owned Cessna 206 that crashed at the Ogle International Airport in early January have confirmed allegations that the pilot might have been distracted during the take off phase, causing the interior-bound aircraft to topple.
One of the passengers who was near the pilot is adamant that he (pilot) was using his cell phone as the plane sped down the runway. When asked about the allegations, Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Zulphicar Mohamed said that he is unaware of the information. He said that the investigation into the matter is ongoing, but he is not privy to that.
Mohamed told Kaieteur News that he is aware that statements would have been
The Cessna flipped a few times before stopping upside down.
taken from the pilot and the passengers. He added that the necessary plane parts such as the engine, would have already been flown overseas for examination as part of the investigation.
Kaieteur News was however informed by several irate aviation operators that while news of the pilot’s “unorthodox” behaviour is known, persons in authority have refused to take action against him or make the information public. One senior official within the aviation field told Kaieteur News yesterday that it is understood that the pilot, Raul Seecharran had been texting while he was about to takeoff for the interior location of Kato in Region Eight.
Despite at least two passengers giving this information to investigators, the senior official who is also a pilot said, no action has been taken against the pilot. The source said he also discovered that the pilot’s licence was returned to him last Friday.
When Kaieteur News made contact with Fenix Airways’ Administrator and Finance Manager, Eddie Deolall, he said that the information is all speculation. He also said to Kaieteur News that he could not confirm whether the pilot’s licence was returned since that would be the decision of the GCAA.
Deolall said that the pilot is not yet back on the job. He also said that the passengers on board the flight have not yet been compensated because the investigation into the crash is ongoing. He charged that the outcome of the investigation would determine who is liable and the company can then figure out compensation.
When contact was made with Zoreena Ali, one of the passengers onboard the single engine aircraft, she confirmed giving statements to investigators about the pilot being on his cell phone during takeoff. The woman said that she was occupying the co-pilot’s seat at the time of the crash and was in full view of the pilot. Kaieteur News also understands that 23-year-old Shemika Monroe, the pregnant woman onboard the ill-fated aircraft also gave a similar statement.
Kaieteur News was told by a reliable source that the pilot has since refuted the passengers’ claims saying that his seat went backwards during takeoff and that caused him to lose control of the aircraft which veered off the airstrip, flipped a few times before halting belly-up.
The experienced aviation official has contended however that “even if the pilot’s seat went back, if one hand is on the throttle and one is on the yoke (steering wheel), any competent pilot would know to pull back the throttle and the plane would slow down and go to idle. But if your hand is not where it is suppose to be then….”
The source opined that texting is not even allowed during driving and it is even worse during takeoff; “that (takeoff) and landing are the most critical parts of flying.”
He charged that information pertaining to the investigation should be made public. “They are compromising public safety in air travel.” the official said.
Four persons were onboard the Cessna aircraft when it crashed on January 11, last. The passengers walked away with minor injuries but some had to be kept at hospitals overnight.
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