Hero pilot Howell Grange has retained an attorney to sue the Belize Airports Authority. Senior Counsel Dean Barrow confirmed to 7News today that he has sent notices as required under the Public Authorities Protection Act to the Belize Airport Authority.
Barrow's letter informs them that Grange plans to file suit on the grounds that the BAA breached its statutory duty and that they breached their common law duty of care due to negligence. The letter also invites the BAA to discuss a settlement.
The suit is based on the fact that the BAA is responsible for the security of Belize's municipal airstrips- and that they failed in that. On April 17th, a hijacker, US citizen Akinyela Taylor boarded Grange's Tropic Air flight at the Ranchito airstrip in Corozal, where there was no screening or security cameras. He carried a knife which he used to stab two passengers and Grange while attempting to re-route the San Pedro bound flight to the US. Another passenger carried a gun, which he used to kill Taylor as he was trying to stab Grange to death.
Grange was stabbed 11 times and he and another passenger are still recovering from their physical injuries.
Barrow told us the notice has been sent in the name of Grange and one other passenger, Lilia Usher - who was visiting from the US - but has roots in Belize.
