Twice Unlucky…
THE owner of Oxford Aviation, Mr. Raj Persaud disclosed, on Tuesday, that the Cessna 206 crash, at Baramita airstrip in   Region One (Barima/Waini) last month, happened because the pilot landed the aeroplane just short of the airstrip. “The facts are that the aircraft landed short of the runway. Why he landed short of the runway, we don’t know. From what I   was told, the aeroplane was coming in to land at minimal air speed and he landed short of the runway and part of the   consequence was that he hit a ditch and lost control,” Persaud said at a press conference.
He also spoke of another accident involving a Cessna 206, also owned by Oxford Flight, which occurred at Ekereku airstrip   in Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) less than six months ago.
On board then were five persons, some of whom were employees of Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC). All the   passengers managed to escape with minor injuries, after the plane ran off the end of the runway, at Ekereku Bottom, during   take-off.
That aircraft, the first of two owned by Oxford, was damaged beyond repair and subsequent investigations established that   it crashed as a result of pilot error.
The pilot had overloaded the plane but he suffered only minor injuries, Persaud confirmed.
He said the company is awaiting the results of an investigation currently being undertaken by the Guyana Civil Aviation   Authority (GCAA) and is prepared to work with that agency, in terms of its findings and any recommendations made.
Meanwhile, Oxford has suspended operations, for between three and five months, to review its internal undertakings and   dismantle the damaged aircraft and return it to the Connecticut headquarters in the United States (U.S.) to ascertain   whether it can be repaired.
Persaud said, if it proves to be beyond repair, then the company will bring in another plane to resume its operations, by   June the latest, as its Guyana licence to make flights locally has not been revoked.
Remain employed
He emphasised, too, that, despite the suspension of flights, all the employees will remain employed until the resumption.
Persaud said both accidents were due to unfortunate but unrelated circumstances.
He pointed out that Oxford is not a newcomer to the aviation business.
“I hold a Bachelor of Technology Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the College of Aeronautics. In 2004, I started the   company in the United States and it owns and operates nine aircraft. I also established the Oxford Flight Training School,   which provides training to students and I followed this up with the Oxford Aircraft Maintenance Department, which  maintains  all operations in Connecticut,” Persaud informed.
A Guyanese by birth, he said he decided to start operating here, less than a year ago because he saw the need for a service   to hinterland areas and started with two aircraft but lost the one in the Ekereku incident and was not sure the other one   that crashed at Baramita could be repaired.
Persaud said he will concentrate on training of local pilots and take to the controls himself, with the airline either   using the repaired Cessna 206 or a replacement.