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http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/pacbeat/stories/201001/s2786805.htm
Morobe Governor wants crash pilot charged
The Governor of Papua New Guinea's Morobe province has accused the pilot of an aircraft which crashed just before New Year of negligence and has called on authorities to charge him with manslaughter. The pilot, Richard Leahy, survived the crash which killed six others, and is recovering in Australia's Royal Brisbane hospital.
Presenter: Firmin Nanol
Speakers: Morobe Province Governor Luther Wenge , Nick Leahy, son of pilot Richard Leahy
NANOL: A Cessna owned by Kiunga Aviation crashed and killed six passengers - all family members in the Morobe province on December 30th.
They are relatives of Morobe Province Governor Luther Wenge.
Governor Wenge claims both the plane and the pilot were too old to fly.
He claims Kiunga Aviation was putting profit first and not the safety of passengers.
Governor Luther Wenge says he would not like to see pilot Richard Leahy's face in Morobe and wants him out of the country.
WENGE: He is thinking so much about making money than the condition of the aircraft. Eventually, crashed and lost the lives, where the people lost their lives. So I think that my people should never be treated like guinea pigs or a bunch of materials. They are human beings, they are human lives, valuable lives like himself and he should have due respect to the lives of the people. So I felt that I think if he is not a national citizen or citizen of Papua New Guinea, I don't think the Papua New Guineans should be treated like that and he should leave the country immediately.
NANOL: The Governor says the pilot, who is suffering severe third degree burns and a spinal injury, should be charged with manslaughter.
WENGE: The pilot, Mr Richard Leahy, he was dealing with an aircraft that was too old and furthermore he has been operating aircraft for so many, many years and he was in the position to know and know well the condition of the aircraft. Yet he was piloting or flying that aircraft, eventually the crash occurred and killing those deceased and he has no excuse, because he is not be carrying the people, or carrying those deceased for free. People have been paying money for some 40 years and he should be in the better position to buy an aircraft much safer, safer than the one he has been flying. It seems to me that he has not checked well the aircraft, he was such a hurry and this thing happened.
NANOL: The pilot's son, Nick Leahy, says the governor's comments are unfair and his father is highly experienced and has trained many local pilots.
He's told the local Post Courier newspaper that Kiunga Aviation is doing its best to talk to and help the immediate relatives of those passengers who died.
He says the airline does not know the cause of the crash until it's established after investigations by the relevant authorities.
LEAHY: The governor's comments in relation to Dad and his aircraft are unfounded, but understandable, because he has had a relative that died in the crash tragically and he's in a state of mourning and we are very sympathetic towards that and we understand his comments in relation in wanting my father to come back to Papua New Guinea to make payment and then leave again are a bit contradictory. At this stage, the air crash investigation is ongoing and so his comments are premature to that and not helpful towards the air crash investigation. We have made contact, we had a meeting with the families of the victims of which he is a relative and everybody's happy and we are here to help as best we can to help the families of the victims.
NANOL: The 68-year-old pilot, Richard Leahy is recovering slowly in Australia's Royal Brisbane hospital
He is reported to be in a stable condition.
The aircraft was heading for the remote Baindoang airstrip when it crashed after apparently encountering engine problems.
The pilot was attempting an emergency landing when it crashed, killing all six passengers.
PNG's Civil Aviation Authority is investigating the crash.
Morobe Governor wants crash pilot charged
The Governor of Papua New Guinea's Morobe province has accused the pilot of an aircraft which crashed just before New Year of negligence and has called on authorities to charge him with manslaughter. The pilot, Richard Leahy, survived the crash which killed six others, and is recovering in Australia's Royal Brisbane hospital.
Presenter: Firmin Nanol
Speakers: Morobe Province Governor Luther Wenge , Nick Leahy, son of pilot Richard Leahy
NANOL: A Cessna owned by Kiunga Aviation crashed and killed six passengers - all family members in the Morobe province on December 30th.
They are relatives of Morobe Province Governor Luther Wenge.
Governor Wenge claims both the plane and the pilot were too old to fly.
He claims Kiunga Aviation was putting profit first and not the safety of passengers.
Governor Luther Wenge says he would not like to see pilot Richard Leahy's face in Morobe and wants him out of the country.
WENGE: He is thinking so much about making money than the condition of the aircraft. Eventually, crashed and lost the lives, where the people lost their lives. So I think that my people should never be treated like guinea pigs or a bunch of materials. They are human beings, they are human lives, valuable lives like himself and he should have due respect to the lives of the people. So I felt that I think if he is not a national citizen or citizen of Papua New Guinea, I don't think the Papua New Guineans should be treated like that and he should leave the country immediately.
NANOL: The Governor says the pilot, who is suffering severe third degree burns and a spinal injury, should be charged with manslaughter.
WENGE: The pilot, Mr Richard Leahy, he was dealing with an aircraft that was too old and furthermore he has been operating aircraft for so many, many years and he was in the position to know and know well the condition of the aircraft. Yet he was piloting or flying that aircraft, eventually the crash occurred and killing those deceased and he has no excuse, because he is not be carrying the people, or carrying those deceased for free. People have been paying money for some 40 years and he should be in the better position to buy an aircraft much safer, safer than the one he has been flying. It seems to me that he has not checked well the aircraft, he was such a hurry and this thing happened.
NANOL: The pilot's son, Nick Leahy, says the governor's comments are unfair and his father is highly experienced and has trained many local pilots.
He's told the local Post Courier newspaper that Kiunga Aviation is doing its best to talk to and help the immediate relatives of those passengers who died.
He says the airline does not know the cause of the crash until it's established after investigations by the relevant authorities.
LEAHY: The governor's comments in relation to Dad and his aircraft are unfounded, but understandable, because he has had a relative that died in the crash tragically and he's in a state of mourning and we are very sympathetic towards that and we understand his comments in relation in wanting my father to come back to Papua New Guinea to make payment and then leave again are a bit contradictory. At this stage, the air crash investigation is ongoing and so his comments are premature to that and not helpful towards the air crash investigation. We have made contact, we had a meeting with the families of the victims of which he is a relative and everybody's happy and we are here to help as best we can to help the families of the victims.
NANOL: The 68-year-old pilot, Richard Leahy is recovering slowly in Australia's Royal Brisbane hospital
He is reported to be in a stable condition.
The aircraft was heading for the remote Baindoang airstrip when it crashed after apparently encountering engine problems.
The pilot was attempting an emergency landing when it crashed, killing all six passengers.
PNG's Civil Aviation Authority is investigating the crash.
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Yeah, Wenge has a history of being lik lik long long... just like Amos 
By the by, the Post Courier version is a lot more scathing... not cool...
By the by, the Post Courier version is a lot more scathing... not cool...
Last edited by swaziboy; 7th Jan 2010 at 08:34.
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After reading that you have to aske what is he the governor of........ moron!
But who am I to criticise my homeland.........well birth place anyway!
moron!But who am I to criticise my homeland.........well birth place anyway!
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Sadly, that is probably one of the most coherent blatherings to be issued by Governor Wenge.
The man is always ranting about something, the true purpose of all his hot air is to create a common enemy to rally his people against. Much like Mugabe or Chavez. Any target will do, Australians, Americans, Asians, rascols.
A true oxygen thief.
The man is always ranting about something, the true purpose of all his hot air is to create a common enemy to rally his people against. Much like Mugabe or Chavez. Any target will do, Australians, Americans, Asians, rascols.
A true oxygen thief.
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Ah.. the Melanesian Mindset.. who can really work with it and understand it..? They want always to be bos, want it all done for them, contribute little themselves, always cry poor and have a need for 'donations', and 'time off', - and then smack the hand that helps..
Can't be race, - must be the 'environment' and 'Mindset'.. !!
A solution would be to leave 'assistance' in business and communications, to the 'Triads'..
Can't be race, - must be the 'environment' and 'Mindset'.. !!
A solution would be to leave 'assistance' in business and communications, to the 'Triads'..
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Amos,
Not so much age being a factor but rather the effects of age. A small but important point. It has been proven time and time again that there is no real medical reason as to why an older individual cannot continue to fly as long as they have proven they can come up to the mark.
A few points:
1: I can think of three men that I have had the pleasure of flying with, in Australia, that at the time were all over 65-70 years of age. All had above average/superior flying skills, keen sharp intellects and one particular individual was the world triathlon champion for over 50s ( I think he was in his late 60s or early 70s at that point). Another was in his eighties, again, very impressive, smooth flying skills and an excellent instructor/testing officer.
2. In a Northern European Airforce, it is not uncommon to have men of up to 55 years of age, flying single seat frontline fast jet fighter aircraft facing off against the Russians. Exceedingly fit, sharp men with physiques that are on par with a man half their age!
I've flown with them......impressive flying skills backed up by experience, often over thirty years of it in fact.
3. Have also flown with younger blokes in their 20s/30s where it is obvious they won't get to their 60th birthday. Slow reflexes, slow mental processing skills and it aint looking much brighter in their future, thanks to a lack of physical fitness.
So....whats your point and where is the evidence? Just curious.
See mods.........I can be reasonable
Not so much age being a factor but rather the effects of age. A small but important point. It has been proven time and time again that there is no real medical reason as to why an older individual cannot continue to fly as long as they have proven they can come up to the mark.
A few points:
1: I can think of three men that I have had the pleasure of flying with, in Australia, that at the time were all over 65-70 years of age. All had above average/superior flying skills, keen sharp intellects and one particular individual was the world triathlon champion for over 50s ( I think he was in his late 60s or early 70s at that point). Another was in his eighties, again, very impressive, smooth flying skills and an excellent instructor/testing officer.
2. In a Northern European Airforce, it is not uncommon to have men of up to 55 years of age, flying single seat frontline fast jet fighter aircraft facing off against the Russians. Exceedingly fit, sharp men with physiques that are on par with a man half their age!
I've flown with them......impressive flying skills backed up by experience, often over thirty years of it in fact.
3. Have also flown with younger blokes in their 20s/30s where it is obvious they won't get to their 60th birthday. Slow reflexes, slow mental processing skills and it aint looking much brighter in their future, thanks to a lack of physical fitness.
So....whats your point and where is the evidence? Just curious.
See mods.........I can be reasonable
2. In a Northern European Airforce, it is not uncommon to have men of up to 55 years of age, flying single seat frontline fast jet fighter aircraft facing off against the Russians. Exceedingly fit, sharp men with physiques that are on par with a man half their age!
I've flown with them......impressive flying skills backed up by experience, often over thirty years of it in fact.
I've flown with them......impressive flying skills backed up by experience, often over thirty years of it in fact.
t
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A letter in The National newspaper;
GOVERNER Luther Wenge for Capt Richard Leahy to leave Morobe province and PNG is uncalled for.
Only a proper investigation by CAA will reveal the cause of this fatal accident.
An angry Mr Wenge cannot use his position and emotions to preempt the findings of the investigation.
If Capt Leahy was in for a quick buck as Mr Wenge stated, he would have quit 20 years ago when the fuel price was reasonable and air travel was affordable.
Taking into consideration the current avgas price and unlike national and other provincial government assistance to MAF, he continued to serve your people at a fee barely enough to keep his head above water.
He did it for the love of serving your people and would have continued to do so because leaders like you have failed your rural people by not providing better alternative services.
You should be asking yourself, what motivates a 63 year old man to wake up at 4am at Lae for an hour drive to Nadzab to make early departure to the most remote airstrips in your province before the weather picks up, 6 days a week for the last 20 odd years.
All this did not hinder his passion for serving your rural people.
National pilot,
Port Moresby
GOVERNER Luther Wenge for Capt Richard Leahy to leave Morobe province and PNG is uncalled for.
Only a proper investigation by CAA will reveal the cause of this fatal accident.
An angry Mr Wenge cannot use his position and emotions to preempt the findings of the investigation.
If Capt Leahy was in for a quick buck as Mr Wenge stated, he would have quit 20 years ago when the fuel price was reasonable and air travel was affordable.
Taking into consideration the current avgas price and unlike national and other provincial government assistance to MAF, he continued to serve your people at a fee barely enough to keep his head above water.
He did it for the love of serving your people and would have continued to do so because leaders like you have failed your rural people by not providing better alternative services.
You should be asking yourself, what motivates a 63 year old man to wake up at 4am at Lae for an hour drive to Nadzab to make early departure to the most remote airstrips in your province before the weather picks up, 6 days a week for the last 20 odd years.
All this did not hinder his passion for serving your rural people.
National pilot,
Port Moresby
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From The Australian, 04/08/2007
Mr Wenge told PNG's Post-Courier newspaper he would introduce a new law into parliament ensuring naturalised citizens met certain stricter criteria before they could contest elections. "This is black country, not white country. Power must remain with the indigenous people of this land," Mr Wenge said.
Governer Wenge had just been given a scare in the 2007 elections by PNG naturalised expat Australian Bob Sinclair.
Governer Wenge also bought about the ejection of the Australian Federal Police ECP from PNG.
Draw your own conclusion as to why Wenge wants Captain Leahy out of the country.
Mr Wenge told PNG's Post-Courier newspaper he would introduce a new law into parliament ensuring naturalised citizens met certain stricter criteria before they could contest elections. "This is black country, not white country. Power must remain with the indigenous people of this land," Mr Wenge said.
Governer Wenge had just been given a scare in the 2007 elections by PNG naturalised expat Australian Bob Sinclair.
Governer Wenge also bought about the ejection of the Australian Federal Police ECP from PNG.
Draw your own conclusion as to why Wenge wants Captain Leahy out of the country.
Sounds to me that Gov' Wenge has a classic case of ................
"mi likim compensation blong mi" (spelling
)
Been many a moon since l last roamed the region. More to the point, how is Richard? Any updates on his recovery would be appreciated. PM's most welcome.
Cheer's,
Aus'
"mi likim compensation blong mi" (spelling
)Been many a moon since l last roamed the region. More to the point, how is Richard? Any updates on his recovery would be appreciated. PM's most welcome.
Cheer's,
Aus'
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ABC TV news Friday night added a rider to it's comments about the Gov's words on Richard... "he withdrew his statement privately later" whatever privately meant.
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I, sadly have (so far) only had the pleasure of meeting RL once. It was at Ambunti (Sepik) in 2005. The weather was **** and I landed first. Ambunti is a pretty straight forward one way strip by Tekin/Tapini et al standards but when the weather is **** in PNG.....well you know. RL joined the circuit 3 minutes after me but the weather had by that stage closed in further. I stood by the plane and looked up and thought how is this guy going to get in? He (RL) just flew square circuits again and again until he had the opportunity....No half arsed attempts to get in, just text book PNG flying. After he landed we had a bit of a chat. I agree with the gentleman that said he was not that unassuming. He decribed how a young pilot came up to try out for a job, was taken to Hagen on a check ride, couldn't fly an NDB to save his life so RL told him to p!ss off! I do hope I get another opportunity to meet you Richard, I have met many people on a single occasion but my chat with you that day sticks in my mind. On another point. Amos, I have to agree with HANOI. I have recently been priviledged to bump into John Regan two or three times in the crew room and have always learnt something but ususally some things.
Daughter Amanda advises this morning that her dad now out of coma and vital signs all showing improvement. She has extracts of those posts here that were made in good faith, that she will read to her dad.
Bugsmasherdriverandjediknite
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WENGE is an idiot with no idea of anything other than theft from the public purse and lining his own pocket. the sooner the public are rid of this racist fool the better off they will be. I'm afraid that Sir.M will keep him about for as long as he can though. 
Best wishes for a fast recovery Richard. Murray, Your Long lost Rele from Australia wishes you the best as well.
Best wishes for a fast recovery Richard. Murray, Your Long lost Rele from Australia wishes you the best as well.
Wenge is racist,there is simply no other word to explain his supid remarks,the man has a history of this type of behaviour. The ECP obviously got to close to exposing him and a few of his brothers.
Sir Peter Barter wrote a very interesting artical in one of PNG's newspapers yesterday asking Wenge to justify his coments.
AMOS,I fully understand you are entiltled to an opinion but I must say that to replace a pilot like Richard in this country,isn't as easy as hiring a younger low or even high time pilot with no time in country experience. The company I fly for has hired some very experienced direct entry captains who have never flown up here before,and trying to educate these pilots on the ways how things are done in PNG can be a nightmare. I also must add that the majority of regular domestic PNG passengers get very concerned if they see that there is a young looking captain flying their plane,they feel more safer with older captains up front.
Sir Peter Barter wrote a very interesting artical in one of PNG's newspapers yesterday asking Wenge to justify his coments.
AMOS,I fully understand you are entiltled to an opinion but I must say that to replace a pilot like Richard in this country,isn't as easy as hiring a younger low or even high time pilot with no time in country experience. The company I fly for has hired some very experienced direct entry captains who have never flown up here before,and trying to educate these pilots on the ways how things are done in PNG can be a nightmare. I also must add that the majority of regular domestic PNG passengers get very concerned if they see that there is a young looking captain flying their plane,they feel more safer with older captains up front.
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He is out of intensive care.