SANTO DOMINGO. – The small plane that disappeared yesterday with 12 people on board was being piloted by a student, and not a pilot with the commercial rating required to fly the 3-engine Islander aircraft, a source close to the case revealed Tuesday.
The source said the plane's pilot-of-record, the Dominican Adrian Jimenez, would only have a solo permit, and wouldn’t speculate on how he managed to get the aircraft assigned to fly to the Providenciales Islands, Turks & Caicos, the destination of the 11 passengers.
Today U.S. Coastguard craft continue to search for the plane which according to the Dominican Civil Aviation Institute (IDAC) disappeared shortly after take off from the city Santiago, at 4 p.m. local time (20:00 GMT) from the Cibao airport.
From: Cuba, it is a secret the censors are looking for me
oh this is interesting ....and a big mistake
From: United States
This isn't a mistake, if this is true its criminal.
From: Cuba, it is a secret the censors are looking for me
these people were on their way to NYNY...sounds like an upmarket Yola
Written by: ABR23, 16 Dec 2008 5:06 PM
From: Puerto Rico
Well the sources are someone who searched the FAA data base and saw another pilot with the same name listed as a student pilot. Could be the same person, but then why is the El Nacional reporting that DR Civil Aeronautics revoked the pilots License in 2006.
DR could only do that if the PILOT had a license to revoke, a student License is a MEDICAL Certificate, endorsed, to let you practice by yourself. DR could not revoke a USA license so it may not be the same person. There are more than 50 hits on name in FAA records.
Other scenario is, that at times, when, they take your license, you lose your ratings and have to take all the flight checks and tests again. Recertifying your abilities. This may be the more likely scenario, So he knew what he was doing and had some negligence factor in the past. Not to take pilots side wrong is wrong. But, If you drive with an expired license, or live 90 days in a new State without getting a new license are you any worse a driver.
Written by: ABR23, 16 Dec 2008 5:09 PM
From: Puerto Rico
By the way for our friends from US & British Virgin Islands, this junker with wings is one of the planes that could no longer fly beteween Culebra and PR (Pinky Long Leg Bird) airline.
Somehow they got it sold, recertfied and flying in DR, several pilots here turned down the work.
Written by: Gringo_1, 16 Dec 2008 5:11 PM
From: Dominican Republic, Maimon (Bonao)
From: Cuba, it is a secret the censors are looking for me
or if everyone is dead the owner can say it was stolen and collect insurance possibly.....curiouser and curiouser
Written by: ABR23, 16 Dec 2008 5:16 PM
From: Puerto Rico
News says it was headed to Mayaguana Island in Bahamas, many Dominicans there in Hotel/construction jobs.
From: United States, Richmond, Texas
Written by: unique33, 16 Dec 2008 9:23 PM
From: United States Virgin Islands
i would like to now what is really going on,,, 1 of these men i know & LOVE DEARLY... i hope its all false,,,,didnt know anything about this mishap,,i love you,,,,
Written by: ABR23, 16 Dec 2008 9:57 PM
From: Puerto Rico
Telling u the guy is trying to stay out of jail. This sleaze ball, was recruiting a guy to fly workers from DR to the islands affected by the recent hurricanes NOEL and IKE, since there was much destruction and jobs there.
The Tri Islander is a workhoarse that, has 3 engines (one in tail) but I know 2 Aircraft Inspectors who declined to certify the plane as airworthy. One pilot was advised not to go fly that plane. This guy also has an old DC-3.
From: Dominican Republic, Puerto Plata
Why is there no report of signal from an ELT?
Written by: ABR23, 17 Dec 2008 8:50 AM
From: Puerto Rico
ELT signals do not work that god in 500 feet of water.
Like always, nobody knows how they got in the plane? Why they got thru Immigration? Who let the "Private Charter take off".
To get past security as pilot you have to show a license. But could have been a passport as well and just go in as passenger.
The Pilots License is just a # you fill, on the flight plan. No one ask to see the License.
Here it is done over the phone. But Customs does ask for your actual license, medical and sometimes aircraft documents. Never had that done in DR, though they know that USA aircraft are more regulated.
Written by: ajm135, 17 Dec 2008 11:18 AM
From: United States
whats done is done. Seems like there a lot of bogus being told to authority and know one has the real answer.
From: United States, Killeen, TX - Home of the 1st Cavalry
The more I read, ther more convinced I become that Customs, Inmigration, the Airport Authority, the aircraft owner, ALL had a hand in this disaster.
SOMEONE along the line of AUTHORITY should have blown the whistle.
It's all smelling like a BIG COVER-UP to me.
TexasBill
Smaller
Bigger
Close Gallery
Facebook
Digg this
del.icio.us
Technorati
Yahoo
DR could only do that if the PILOT had a license to revoke, a student License is a MEDICAL Certificate, endorsed, to let you practice by yourself. DR could not revoke a USA license so it may not be the same person. There are more than 50 hits on name in FAA records.
Other scenario is, that at times, when, they take your license, you lose your ratings and have to take all the flight checks and tests again. Recertifying your abilities. This may be the more likely scenario, So he knew what he was doing and had some negligence factor in the past. Not to take pilots side wrong is wrong. But, If you drive with an expired license, or live 90 days in a new State without getting a new license are you any worse a driver.
Somehow they got it sold, recertfied and flying in DR, several pilots here turned down the work.
Plane stolen and headed to USA
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,467704,00.html
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28252151/?GT1=43001
The Tri Islander is a workhoarse that, has 3 engines (one in tail) but I know 2 Aircraft Inspectors who declined to certify the plane as airworthy. One pilot was advised not to go fly that plane. This guy also has an old DC-3.
Like always, nobody knows how they got in the plane? Why they got thru Immigration? Who let the "Private Charter take off".
To get past security as pilot you have to show a license. But could have been a passport as well and just go in as passenger.
The Pilots License is just a # you fill, on the flight plan. No one ask to see the License.
Here it is done over the phone. But Customs does ask for your actual license, medical and sometimes aircraft documents. Never had that done in DR, though they know that USA aircraft are more regulated.
SOMEONE along the line of AUTHORITY should have blown the whistle.
It's all smelling like a BIG COVER-UP to me.
TexasBill