Report: Human error in PM’s plane incident

MINISTER of National Security, Martin Joseph, blamed human error for the recent near-crash of an airplane carrying Prime Minister, Patrick Manning and Minister of Trade, Ken Valley. On Tuesday evening, Joseph gave the Senate the results of an inquiry into the incident which occurred on January 8 in a TT Coast Guard plane returning Manning and Valley to Trinidad from talks in Barbados. UNC Senator Wade Mark had demanded answers in a motion on the adjournment of the Upper House and hit the Government for its delay in accounting.

“We could have been mourning the death of the Prime Mnister and Minister of Trade and Industry. That would have been a sad loss.” Quoting a Newsday report “Valley: Crash? What crash?” in which Valley denied knowing of the incident, Mark scoffed: “I laughed when I read it.” In response, Joseph said the C 26 aircraft, numbered CG 215, had experienced difficulties resulting from a loss of height and change in direction, but the pilot regained control.

An inquiry by the Chief of Defence Staff reported that at an altitude of 18,000 feet, the pilot switched to auto-pilot as per normal. Joseph said: “At approximately 20 minutes into the flight and at about 80 miles from Piarco, the aircraft entered into an uncommand change in pitch and roll, and by accounts also approached stalled conditions. “The sequence of uncommand flight manoeuvres resulted in the loss of height and change in direction.” The pilot regained control. Joseph said the findings of the Board of Enquiry were now under review by the Chief of  Defence Staff who would give Joseph his recommendations for any further action necessary.