Flight safety is a big issue to those who use local carriers to get around the country, but it’s always seemed to us that it’s not such a big deal to the industry’s regulators. In fact, generally, trying to get any information about a local airline’s safety record or even the report into the cause of a crash is like pulling teeth...from a crocodile! And we get the feeling that’s just how the airline industry likes it – public transport, but private accountability. And so that’s why we were encouraged to see that today the Civil Aviation Department in coordination with the regional oversight agency, CECESSNA held a seminar on flight safety. Jacqueline Godwin found out more.
Jacqueline Godwin Reporting,
It is far more likely that you would be involved in a road traffic accident than a plane crash but that does not mean that we should become complacent about air safety. Much effort is now being made to take air transportation to new heights in Belize.
Nigel Carter, BDCA Officer - Flight Operations
“Belize was in a place whereby we were a bit late in the development of our requirements for aviation. We are presently introducing regulations to bring Belize’s status up to par with world aviation requirement or the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization.”
And to help the local airline industry understand what is now required the Department of Civil Aviation in conjunction with COCESNA’s flight safety agency, ACSA, coordinated a one day seminar.
Nigel Carter,
“You would find that regulations have not changed very much throughout the years but you find that there have been different accidents that occurred throughout the world and you find that as different accidents occur, there are different recommendations that are brought forth. These recommendations are turned into regulations.”
The new regulations are not carved in stone but the documents can be amended when needed. The primary objective is to see Belize’s aviation industry prosper in a safe and reliable system.
Felecia Alvarez, Central American Aviation Safety Agency
“We are trying to bring more information on aviation safety. In order
for the industry to grow it needs to be done in a safely manner in order to maintain and assure that it grows continuously throughout time.”
And as much effort is being made to improve our flight safety. Investigations continue into the last incident in Belize. On September seventh a Tropic Air Cessna 208 piloted by Roy Bradley made an emergency landing twenty feet off the coast of Belizean Beach. Today, BDCA’s Flight Operations Officer Nigel Carter told 7NEWS that preliminary investigations point to engine failure.
Nigel Carter,
“We cannot say for sure exactly what the cause of the accident was however we do believe that there was some engine failure involved in that accident. Presently we have presently a representative from the engine manufacture come down and take a look at the engine. They recommended that we take that engine up to Canada to do further investigation.”
Four U.S. nationals were onboard; none were seriously injured. The company stated that the aircraft was a 1996 model but the engine was brand new. Jacqueline Godwin for 7NEWS.
