Air Services Limited’s (ASL) dismissal of one of its pilots, Akeem Stoll, who stood his ground and parked his helicopter over safety concerns, highlights the “toxic culture which (exists) within the Guyanese aviation sector,” the board of the Guyana Pilots Association stated as it threw its support behind Stoll.
In a statement released last week, the association lauded Stoll for his courage, skill, and commitment to service and aviation safety in Guyana.
ASL has not commented on this matter.
The board underscored that pilots are often forced to consider objecting to operational pressures to work in less-than-ideal conditions as against having a job and voiced disagreement with the manner of Stoll’s termination.
“We sincerely hope upon the completion of Civil Aviation and Labour Ministry investigations, Akeem is aptly compensated and issued a formal apology for the apparent wrongful termination of his services,” the board urged.
The Air Services Limited Bell 206 helicopter with registration 8R-GTR, has been grounded by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) following two breaches – 1) that a mishap occurred and it was not logged and 2), that an inspection found the wrong rotor blades were being used.
The GCCA document seen by Stabroek News pointed out the discrepancies that resulted in the grounding of the aircraft. “Pursuant to Section IV of the Civil Aviation Regulations, an inspection of the above Aircraft and/or logbooks was conducted and the following defects/deficiencies have been noted: The Technical logbook was inspected. Maintenance was being conducted after a defect in flight. The Technical logbook had no receipt of the defect, contrary to the GCARS Article 12(2B).”
“2. The helicopter was flown with an unapproved modification of the main rotor blades, contrary to Article 9 of the GCARS, regulation 9… the aircraft is prohibited from further flight until the approval is given by the Director General of the GCAA.”
According to the GPA, Stoll’s decision to park the aircraft mirrors that of exemplary airmanship and judgement. He was commended for the skills displayed to ensure a positive outcome when the helicopter he was flying developed a hazardous condition in flight.
“Captain Stoll is a pivotal figure in Guyanese aviation who can be heard on the radios any given day assisting with pilot reports across remote areas in Guyana. The GPA stands with Akeem in his highlighting of a major safety concern in aircraft operations as one of Guyana’s certificated air operators and hereby condemns the actions of the operator’s management for the dismissal of Captain Akeem Stoll without any apparent justifiable cause,” the GPA declared.
The aviation association is urging air operators to re-evaluate their priorities and insist that safety must continue to be emphasised, or be reinstated as necessary, as the ultimate and absolute priority in all decision making.
Minister of Public Works, Juan Edgill, who has oversight of the aviation sector told Stabroek News that the aircraft was grounded and that the GCAA is investigating.
Stabroek News understands that on November 29, ASL was notified that the rotor blades installed on the aircraft were not the approved parts and that this should be rectified.
It was therefore a surprise to inspectors that maintenance work on the machine was being prepared on December 5 when it was using the same blades.
It is unclear if the defect encountered by the chopper was due to its use of the wrong rotor blades.
The GCAA has launched a detailed investigation.
