JCAA probes Tinson Pen small aircraft accident
Published:Friday | August 16, 2024 | 12:10 AMAndre Williams/Staff Reporter
The Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA) yesterday dispatched a team of investigators to probe an accident involving a small plane yesterday at the Tinson Pen Aerodrome, which resulted in the hospitalisation of the pilot and passenger.
Up to press time, emergency services, including the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB), were still at the site of the incident conducting their probe.
The Gleaner understands that, around 12:40 p.m., the pilot and passenger were the only occupants aboard the small blue and white Piper PA-34 Seneca twin-engine, U.S.-registered aircraft when it reportedly landed then went off the runway and crashed into a building on the grounds.
The pilot, who The Gleaner understands is an American, and the passenger, reportedly walked from the mangled wreckage of the plane.
They were assisted to a nearby hospital as a precaution, an official at the scene told The Gleaner.
Several media professionals arrived at the aerodrome shortly after the incident but were restricted from filming and taking photographs, citing sensitivity and the security restrictions associated with the fly area.
Workers and security personnel told journalists they were not authorised to speak.
The Gleaner witnessed as JCAA personnel began arriving at the location.
“The investigations have just started and we are just trying to collect some info as to what could have caused this incident,” Rohan Campbell, deputy director general, regulatory affairs at JCAA, told RJR News.
An individual at the scene told The Gleaner that he was at a nearby property conducting business on the outside when he heard a loud bang like something had crashed.
“After that, we heard the sirens and they started to cordon the street leading to the facility, and everyone just started to fasten eyes over to the runway to even get a glimpse,” he said.