Air Seychelles captain Aubrey Quatre dies in fatal ground accident |20 August 2016
Air Seychelles captain Aubrey Quatre died yesterday after being involved in a fatal ground accident which happened at around 11.30am at the Domestic Terminal of the Seychelles Airport.
The Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) said it was informed at 11.33am of the incident involving an Air Seychelles staff and a Twin Otter plane.
Paramedics’ help was requested from the Airport Fire and Rescue Services (AFRS) watch room to help the person involved in the accident and three paramedics were sent on scene one minute later.
According to a statement released by Air Seychelles yesterday, captain Quatre, 27, was an experienced pilot on Air Seychelles Twin Otter fleet and had been with the company since October 15, 2012 and gained his command on the Twin Otter in April 2015. He was born on September 25, 1988.
The statement added that no other staff or guests were involved.
“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the staff member’s family, friends and immediate colleagues. We are a close-knit family at Air Seychelles and we share the devastation of this tragic event. Counselling services are being made available at head quarters for those affected by this incident. An investigation has been launched and we are cooperating fully with the relevant authorities,” writes the statement.
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs and Transport Minister Joël Morgan, has also ordered an immediate investigation into the incident as per established protocols in place with the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA).
“Air Seychelles and the SCAA are both entities who pride themselves in operating a safe working environment for passengers and of course staff within all points of operations at our airport. We are deeply saddened by this incident and extend our prayers and sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased,” Minister Morgan wrote in a communiqué.
“We fully appreciate that this was a traumatic event for staff and that we will ensure that distressed employees receive full support and counselling where needed.
“To the customers of Air Seychelles who may have been witness to this or who have heard of this event after the fact, please bear with us during this tragic time for all employees of both the SCAA and Air Seychelles. Rest assured that our winning team, who are an extended family, will continue to do their very best, despite it all.
“Safety remains our priority and my initiating an immediate investigation at this time forms part of procedures to ensure that overall operations remain as they have been to date, a safe experience for all, ” Minister Morgan said.
On behalf of the department of transport, the SCAA and all affiliated departments, and as well in his capacity as chairman of Air Seychelles board, Minister Morgan also sent his condolences to the family of the employee who lost his life yesterday.
As a result of the tragic fatal accident, Air Seychelles suspended all domestic operations for the remainder of the day, yesterday, to ease the ongoing internal and external investigations.
Domestic operations will resume as per normal schedule today.
Air Seychelles chartered a boat to transport all its guests to and from Praslin
The airline also helped passengers with new travel arrangement and did everything to minimise the inconvenience resulting from the disruption of their flights to and from Praslin.
On the day he became a captain, Quatre said: “I have worked very hard to become a captain and can say that one of my childhood dreams has come true. It’s a very proud day for me and I would like to extend my gratitude to my colleagues at Air Seychelles for the opportunities and training I have received. I look forward to gaining more flying experience and progressing to the Airbus fleet in due course.”
Quatre lived at Ma Constance and had been flying with Air Seychelles since 2012. He completed secondary school studies at the English River school, before taking A-level examinations at the School of Advanced Level Studies. After graduating, he worked as an Assistant Air Traffic Controller at the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority for two years. In 2010, he enrolled at the 43rd Air School in South Africa to pursue his dream of becoming a pilot, where he undertook an intensive aviation course before applying for a position at Air Seychelles.