Plane wing explodes at Eugene F Correia Int’l Airport
One man is confirmed injured following the explosion of the right wing of a Britten Norman Trislander aircraft at the hangar of Roraima Airways at the Eugene F Correia International Airport, Ogle, East Coast Demerara on Monday.
The Trislander involved in the explosion
Head of the local airline, Captain Gerry Gouveia, speaking with Guyana Times shortly after the explosion, confirmed that the injured engineer suffered burns to his hand and fractured ankles. He was taken to a private medical institution where he was admitted for treatment. His condition is listed as stable.
Gouveia described the incident as a maintenance accident. He noted that it took place during a routine examination of the aircraft. The cause of the explosion is yet to be determined.
Roraima, in a statement on Monday afternoon, stated that the company would be assisting the engineer with his medical care.
“An investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident is currently underway by both our Maintenance Quality Department and the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA),” the company added.
Gouveia said the company was arranging for counselling for the maintenance team and all team members who were affected by the explosion.
Guyana Times understands that a woman who was nearby at the time of the explosion suffered shock and trauma.
Meanwhile, the company stated that while the temporary inability to use the aircraft was difficult at this point in time, its flight operations would not be significantly disrupted. (Bhisham Mohamed)
