Veteran pilot, former PUP politician and well known San Pedrano Milo Paz has died. It is reported to have happened in Panama on a private flight. Reports say Paz and another pilot both died, and that their charred remains were found yesterday evening - and taken to Panama City.
His boss and long-time friend John Greif spoke about Paz as a friend and a senior pIlot:...
Jules Vasquez- Reporter
"You lost one of your senior pilots at Tropic Air. I know Milo Paz has been a friend of yours, an employee of yours for many decades. Explain to me, first of all your emotional reaction when you heard the news and your history with Milo Paz."
John Grief III- President, Tropic Air
"Well, I was moved to tears. It was actually on the flight over here that I found out. Milo and I grew up together as little kids; playing in the sand streets of San Pedro. He is an aviation pioneer. He owned his own airplane and was one of the pioneers in the San Pedro/Tikal Day Tour. So, in those days Tropic and Milo would take a load of passengers to Tikal, wait all day with them and then bring them back. He was one of the pioneers in that. He was a smart businessman; he was involved in money changing at one time before the rules changed. He was on time-off on Tropic and we just got confirmation that it is confirmed that he is dead in a plane crash that side."
Reporter
"Mr. Grief, what have you learnt about the details about what transpired?"
John Grief III
"Absolutely nothing. I was trying to get some information. I just got off the plane and I was trying to get some information on the flight over. The only thing we got was something official from the Panamanian government that Milo Paz's body had been recovered."
Reporter
"So, this was a private charter?"
John Grief III
"Milo was on time-off. I am not sure what he was doing or who he was working for at the time."
Again, very little is known about the flight or the crash at this time - and there are reports that no flight plan had been registered with authorities.
And while there are many questions, his death is confirmed within the San Pedro community, and UDP area representative Manuel Juniour Herredia has said in a statement, quote, "Milo was a pilot and entrepreneur. He was a dynamic person who has made his mark in our community of San Pedro. He will be forever missed."
Paz had been a pilot for 30 years.
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