-injured pregnant woman still hospitalised

THE Guyana Civil Aviation and Ogle International Airport are continuing their investigations to ascertain the real cause of a Fenix 206 Cessna crash shortly after takeoff on Saturday. The accident occurred at the Ogle International Airport on the East Coast of Demerara, which resulted in four persons suffering injuries.

The Guyana Chronicle has been informed that checks are being made to determine if the standard operating procedures were followed and if the pilot carried out a detailed check of the aircraft before takeoff on Saturday.
Yesterday efforts to contact Transport Minister Robeson Benn were futile. However, this publication has been informed that the Ministry of Public Works is also looking to have a report sent to it with respect to the incident even as the GCAA does its bit to find out the cause of the crash.
Meanwhile, the Guyana Chronicle was also unable to have an interview with 23-year old Shenika Munroe, a pregnant woman who was onboard the aircraft when it crashed at Ogle. Her relatives were not willing to accommodate any media operative or at least those from this newspaper when she arrived at the hospital.
It is unclear what the condition of the woman was up to yesterday and whether there has been any complications with her pregnancy following the plane accident on Saturday.
The aircraft which carries registration number 8R-MML, crashed after failing to complete its take-off at the Ogle International Airport.
On Saturday, Public Relations Consultant for the Ogle Airport, Christopher ‘Kit’ Nascimento, told reporters that the passengers were on board the aircraft, destined for Kato in Region 8 (Potaro/siparuni)which crashed at approximately 09:30 hrs.
Nascimento stated that the aircraft travelled some 200 yards along the left side of the runway before flipping over on its side.
According to him, the Airport’s emergency response team rushed immediately to the scene of the crash and was able to assist the passengers out of the aircraft.
Meanwhile, Administrative and Finance Manager of Fenix Airline, Eddie Doolal, on Saturday, confirmed that the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority has launched an investigation into 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,” Dolall was quoted as saying.
He added the company’s sympathy for those affected and expressed the airline’s gratitude to the personnel at the Ogle International Airport Inc. for their assistance.

(By Leroy Smith)