And it's the job of the Civil Aviation Department to find out if that barrier was working. As of tonight, they still aren't sure which safety procedures failed and caused the vehicle to end up in the path of the aircraft while it was trying to take off.
On Friday newscast, first responders told us that the barriers did not go down reliably to warn the driver that he needed to give way to the ascending Cessna caravan.
So, we asked the Deputy Director of the Civil Aviation Department if the investigators have been able to confirm that, and he told us via phone today that it is still inconclusive. He was only able to share preliminary information:
Gilberto Torres, Deputy Director - Civil Aviation
"At the departure at approximately 8:55am, the aircraft came into contact with a vehicle traversing the departure part of the aircraft. This caused the aircraft to ditch and subsequently the aircraft had to do its emergency landing and its emergency evacuation."
"Onboard the aircraft were 9 passengers and 2 crew. When the mishap happened, the aircraft ditched into the waters into the sea. The passengers and crew exited with assistance from the locals in Placencia and also Tropic Air and staff and they made their way to shore."
"Subsequently they were treated with minor injuries by a medical team."
Daniel Ortiz, reporter
"Have the investigators been able to determine whether or not the barriers on both sides were functioning and reliably went down to indicate to traffic on both sides of the airstrip that the Tropic Air flight was attempting to take off?"
Gilberto Torres
"Yes sir, that is the question as we speak. Those interviews are being carried out and until they are conducted, we would be able to determine that. Yes, there are operational procedures at the Placencia Airstrip with regards to the operation on aircraft with the use of the road barriers, sleeping policemen, signage and of course the implementation of these procedures so that aircraft can land and depart safely."
"At this point in time we are unable to determine that, as the investigation continues."
The deputy director told us that drivers are expected to take precautions went approaching the curve around the Placencia airstrip.
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