A CESSNA 206 aircraft belonging to Phoenix Airlines, number 8R-MML, crashed in a failed take-off yesterday at Ogle International Airport (OIA), East Coast Demerara. Apparently, no co-pilot was aboard.

OIA Public Relations Consultant Christopher ‘Kit’ Nascimento told the Guyana Chronicle that the aircraft crashed at approximately 9.30am with three passengers on board destined for Kato in Region Eight.

“(Aside from) the pilot, Raul Seecharran, there were one male and two females,” he said.

One pregnant woman, 23-year-old Tamika Munroe, was transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) for treatment, and remains under observation at that facility. Contrary to reports appearing in another section of the press, the Cane Grove, East Coast Demerara resident is not suffering from spinal injuries.

“She is in stable condition,(is) fully conscious and (is) moving around; and had she suffered spinal injuries, she would not have been in this ward,” a staffer of the Maternity (E) Ward has said. Munroe’s unborn child is also in good shape, hospital authorities have confirmed.

The other two passengers were treated for minor injuries at the Balwant Singh Hospital, whilst the pilot was similarly treated at St Joseph Mercy Hospital. All three have since been discharged.

Nascimento said the aircraft travelled some 200 yards along the left side of the runway before flipping over on its side. The OIA Emergency Response Team immediately rushed to the scene of the crash and was able to assist the passengers out of the aircraft.

INVESTIGATION
Eddie Doolal, Administrative and Finance Manager of Phoenix Airline, told this newspaper that officials of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCCA) have commenced investigating the cause of the crash. He said it is still unclear whether the aircraft, which is comprehensively covered under insurance, would be returned to service, as it was “badly” damaged in the incident.

“Because of the safety requirements in the aviation industry, until we know the extent of damage, I cannot say if it will be returned to service,” Doolal said.

He expressed the company’s sympathy for those affected, and the airline’s gratitude to personnel at the OIA Inc. for their assistance.
Written By Vanessa Narine and Shirley Thomas