‘Aircraft had reported problems just after take off’

WILLEMSTAD/KRALENDIJK — Five minutes after take off from Hato, at 9.30 Thursday morning, pilot Robert Mansell had reported to the control tower that there were problems with one of the engines. Another nine minutes later, and the aircraft had landed in the sea, one kilometer south of Small Bonaire.

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Perhaps the current investigation could provide more clarity on why Mansell had decided to continue his flight instead of returning to Hato. The tapes of the conversations with the control tower management have already been played back, Minister Maurice Adriaens of Traffic & Transport (FOL) confirmed this morning. However, for him it is more important that the aircraft and Mansell will be recovered. The Netherlands have offered their assistance. "Minister Camiel Eurlings (Traffic & Transport, CDA) had telephoned immediately yesterday to offer his sincere sympathy, but also to offer assistance." This would have to be hi-tech equipment as the aircraft is estimated to be at a depth between 150 and 200 meters. Adriaens confirms that requests for technical assistance have already been made. The nine passengers who had survived the emergency landing have already been heard as well. "It is important to know what caused the engine failure", said the minister. Technically, it is possible to continue a flight on one engine and keep the aircraft in the air even if it is fully booked. "That is also the reason why we want the aircraft recovered."

Everyone at Divi Divi is very upset about the disaster that took place yesterday morning. "It’s painful", said a co-worker, "but the company must continue". Director Germaine Richie "Robert had not been with us for that long. He had come from Winair where they also fly with similar aircrafts, but we are a small company and we see and talk with each other every day." Therefore, everyone is upset. This is the first time that Divi Divi has experienced such a disaster since their existence. "Every airline company experiences the usual defects during their existence but we had never experienced anything like this before.
Robert Mansell (32) was a Briton. His father, who lives in London, has meanwhile been informed. He is not sure whether he will come to Curaçao, even though Divi Divi had already offered to arrange for his flight. Mansell had a girlfriend and an inmate on Curaçao.
Richie also wants to have the aircraft recovered, "foremost, to be able to give Robert a dignified funeral. He had done everything in his power to save the aircraft and the passengers, and we want to conclude the process."

Why the pilot had chosen to continue flying instead of returning and if the aircraft had excess weight as suggested earlier, should become apparent from the investigation. "Robert had probably acted to the best of his abilities. There is nothing we can say on the ‘why’," said Richie.

A few of the nine passengers had chosen to return to Curaçao by boat. Other passengers had booked with another airline company and were to be met by the Casualty Aid upon arrival. The Aviation Directorate gave the airline company permission to continue with their operations as of two o’clock yesterday afternoon. There were not many cancellations, but many people had expressed their sympathy.