Staying on course

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Staying on course

The funeral of trainee pilot Merelesita Lutu in Suva yesterday effectively brought to a close a chapter in our aviation history,

Her funeral followed that of instructor Iliesa Tawalo who died with her when their Cessna 172 aircraft crashed into the Delaikoro Mountain range in Labasa on Monday last week.

Mr Tawalo was buried in Nadi on Thursday.

Their deaths captured the imagination of the nation, inching out concern and sadness.

Yesterday, independent investigator Andrew McGregor said the purpose of investigations into the Cessna 172 crash is not to blame anyone.

Following the extraction of the wreckage from the crash site on Thursday, this week, Mr McGregor said his duty was to find out all contributing factors that led to the crash.

He said the investigation would be undertaken in accordance with international air accident investigation procedures.

Its purpose, he said, is not to blame anyone, but try and find out all the factors that contributed to the accident so it can be prevented from happening again.

There can be no doubts about the impact the crash had on the minds of thousands of people around the country.

It was a chapter in our lives that will forever remind us of the importance of life, and how much value we should place on it.

It seemed a nation united as news of the missing aircraft hit the airwaves, television screens, newspapers and social media.

There was concern, and fear for the safety of the missing aviators.

This soon turned to grief, disbelief and shock in the wake of the discovery of the mangled wreck of the aircraft resting atop a tree on the steep Delaikoro mountain range.

Then began the wait for the recovery of the bodies.

This, on its own, had great challenges including a 200m drop off a cliff.

The two aviators left Nadi early that Monday morning, happy and with great anticipation of a good day of flying hours. They never returned home alive.

Their names hit the news.

As we reflect on the news that was, we must ask ourselves what lessons have we learnt from this episode of our aviation history?

Are we happy with our response time, and co-ordination of search and rescue efforts?

Did we do everything right? Are there aspects of the turn of events that need urgent attention?

Surely a lot will be answered when Mr McGregor completes his work.

For now though, we live with the memories of two young lives taken early. Their colleagues have promised to live their dreams. Life must go on.

If there is a factor that should stand out, it should be life, and how precious it is. It should be about how we must value it, and appreciate those who matter to us, not tomorrow, but today.

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