KWAKWANI - An Air Services Ltd. aircraft sustained wing damage after swerving to avoid hitting someone as it was about to land at the Kwakwani Airstrip, Region 10.
The incident occurred at 10:17 h today, November 9, 2013.
According Leola Narine, Assistant Regional Executive Officer (AREO), a young man who is deaf, alleged run across the airstrip just as a trainee pilot was about to land.
Luckily, neither the pilot nor the young man received any injuries. The right wing tip of the 8RA55 aircraft was damaged.
Safety inspectors from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority flew into the area and accompanied by police spoke with eyewitnesses.
Such an incident could have ended disastrously had it not been for the vigilance of the pilot, posited Minister of Public Works and Transport, Robeson Benn.
"The Ministry continues to stress the importance that an aerodrome is only for the use intended [to land aircraft]. We have been confronted with persons cutting the wires around the aerodromes to allow their animals to graze and roam free, and in many instances persons use them as roadways,“Minister Benn said. “It is a critical issue that we are wrestling with."
KINGSTON, Georgetown – Stakeholders of Ogle International Airport were assured by the Works Minister that safety precautions are in place at the facility.
“All basic steps are being taken to make it [Ogle] safe and secure,” Hon. Robeson Benn, who also has responsibility for transport, said on Monday following LIAT’s inaugural flight to the airport located on the East Coast Demerara (ECD).
He added, “I have been told by Mr. Harold Hopkinson that we have over 30-something cameras around the facility with respect to being able to access both air side and land side. I also noticed the dog which sniffs substances lying in wait there.”
And while the airport authorities would be challenged by individuals determined to test the resolute of the security system, the Minister stated that his Ministry in collaboration with the Home Affairs Ministry, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority; airport employees; and relevant authorities such as the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) “will work together to ensure persons do not get away with breaking the law”.
Meanwhile, Ogle Airport security consultant Mr. Hopkinson said the airport has learnt from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport’s (CJIA) security mishaps.
“We will not make those basic mistakes, and we have a competent team of persons that will stem the tide of illegal narcotics and drugs; we have CANU and the police. We have a constant report and we share information; therefore, we have a good thing going.” The cameras are effective, he told reporters, adding that they work 24 hours and have backup systems in place.
