Comments:British pilot dies in plane crash; nine passengers survive

From Wikinews, the free news source you can write!
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Back to article

This page is for commentary on the news. If you wish to point out a problem in the article (e.g. factual error, etc), please use its regular collaboration page instead. Comments on this page do not need to adhere to the Neutral Point of View policy. You should sign your comments by adding ~~~~ to the end of your message. Please remain on topic. Though there are very few rules governing what can be said here, civil discussion and polite sparring make our comments pages a fun and friendly place. Please think of this when posting.

Quick hints for new commentators:

  • Use colons to indent a response to someone else's remarks
  • Always sign your comments by putting --~~~~ at the end
  • You can edit a section by using the edit link to the right of the section heading


Rob was always telling me too that the planes were overloaded. Don't make him out to be a liar when he saved so many people. That is cowardice and totally disrespectful to a hero.

Robert Mansell, pilot dies in Caribbean crash[edit]

With this post I am offering my sincere and heart felt sympathy to the family of Robert Mansell. My own son, Ian, is also a pilot, and has commented that some of the most dangerous flying assignments are given to pilots in the early stages of their careers; that is what happened this week Robert's case. Ian regarded Robert as a good friend - Ian rushed to Curacao to show his respect for Robert and to investigate personally. Ian was able to listen to a control tower recording, and reports to me that in all details, Robert showed the highest professional skill in handling the emergency, in preparing for the crash, in preparing his passengers, and in advising search and rescue. Landing an Islander in the Atlantic, and having it float, is the highest professional achievement. It is a great tragedy and loss that Robert was unable to leave the plane. My own family feels the loss.

As for liability, I seem to understand that the Carribbean is inhabited by a bunch of third world yo-yo's who don't have a very reliable way of dealing with professional issues. Apparently a passenger overload may have brought the plane down even though one engine was still functionning to the max. But aside from overload, how old was the plane and why did the engine fail - shoddy maintenance practices may be another possibility? Civil justice will likely never happen down dere; but our highest respect for Robert endures. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.64.223.205 (talk) 17:29, 27 October 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Investigation by a Dutch board pointed out that divi divi overloaded its aircraft so miss Richie is lying.