Air Services Limited (ASL) Manager Annette Arjoon-Martins has apologized for information given to the media which she expressed is against the facts pertaining to an incident that occurred in the Region Eight location of Paramakatoi last Monday.
A Cessna 206 which is owned and operated by the company plunged into a barbed wire fence on the Paramakatoi airstrip, and Arjoon, who is the authorized person to speak on the matter, related that cows had gone onto the airstrip causing the pilot to veer off the runway.
However, Arjoon has clarified that that was not the case. She explained that when contacted by the media, she was in Region Nine at Kumu Falls and had to get clarification from the agency’s Ogle head office.
“When I sought clarification from the Head Office I heard that there had been a strong cross-wind on landing at Paramakatoi as well as cows on the airstrip, which I relayed to the media. However, on speaking to the pilot on my return to the city, it is now clear that I misheard the original information on my cell phone.”
She said the cows were actually beside the airstrip, but not on it, and therefore the main challenge for the pilot was the strong winds at the time of the landing.
“I apologize for my error in miscommunication. In hindsight I should have waited for my return to Georgetown with all the details in front of me, and I should have asked the media to await the findings from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).”
Mrs. Arjoon-Martins said however that “With safety being always paramount, I still wish to reiterate that cows on or beside airstrips in the interior remain a daily challenge for us, and we appeal to the relevant authorities to address this matter.”
This has been the call of several other aircraft owners who continue to complain about the adverse features being faced in the majority of interior locations. The Aircraft Owners’ Association has stated continuously that much more has to be done to facilitate the smooth operation and growth of domestic aviation.
The GCAA had stated that it was conducting an investigation into the incident which occurred on June 2, 2014 at the Paramakatoi Airstrip in which a Cessna 206 aircraft owned and operated by Air Services Limited upon landing, veered off of the runway and ploughed through a barbed wire fence. The authorities said the aircraft was at the time transporting cargo with only the pilot in command on board.
“The facts uncovered in the preliminary investigation do not suggest that there was cattle present on or in the vicinity of the airstrip at the time of the incident. The Authority wishes to make clear that there are established procedures which govern operation into and out of uncontrolled aerodromes such as Paramakatoi that require the pilot to pass over in the vicinity of the aerodrome to ensure that the runway is clear of all obstacles prior to landing.”
The GCAA said that the most recent Advisory Circular on Standard Operating Procedures at Uncontrolled Aerodromes was issued to the industry in September, 2013 and describes actions to be taken by a pilot to ensure that a proper assessment of conditions at the airstrip is made before landing.
Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn, last Thursday, also stated that cows on the airstrip should not be an excuse for the pilot since he ought to have circled the airstrip before landing, taking into account safety operating procedures. He said the position could not be simply accepted.
Source: http://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com
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