As aviation officials investigate the cause of the crash that ended the lives of eight men, it was revealed yesterday that the charter company operating the doomed flight was not properly registered with the Civil Aviation Department.
Accident Investigator of the Flight Standard Inspectorate Delvin Major said the Acklins Blue Air Charter, which was operated by veteran pilot Nelson Hanna, was not certified.
“All charter companies go through a certification process by the Civil Aviation Department,” Major said. “In the case of this gentleman, he did not go through that process.
Major said investigations into the crash are still ongoing and he could not confirm yesterday whether Hanna was chartering the flight or giving the passengers a free ride.
Manager of the Flight Standard Inspectorate Hubert Adderley told reporters that Hanna may have been in violation of certain regulations.
In order to be certified, pilots must have proper licences, insurance and they must also have their aircraft properly maintained.
