Email

Print

Tonight, the preliminary report on the BDF helicopter crash that cost the lives of four soldiers has been released. And, it shows pilot error was the likely cause of one of the worst air accidents Belize has ever seen.  

The report compiled by the Honduras Air Force Accident Prevention and Investigation Board says, quote, “the crew began  a right turn with a defending vertical speed of one thousand feet per minute which possibly caused a spatial disorientation in the crew since they were performing a night flight under unfavourable atmospheric conditions, without night vision goggles equipment and also flying over water.â€￾  End quote.  

The report adds the accident investigation board concludes preliminary that one of the probable excuses of this accident is the human factor.in addition to this probably one of the pilots was making reports or receiving information via cell phone which may create optical illusions and spatial disorientation in the pilot in command of the flight controls at that time, so it is related that this could affect the somatosensory system in the pilots which led them to descend at a very steep angle unconsciously during a turn causing a high energy impact in the water,â€￾  End quote.