Aerospace

This guy took selfie after terrible plane crash

Last month, Ferdinand Puentes was riding in a Makani Kai Air Cessna off the coast of Hawaii when the engine quit. When they hit the water, the passengers escaped from the plane and Puentes took out his GoPro camera.

pic courtesy : Ferdinand Puentes

Puentes told local reporters that he was terrified through the whole ordeal. He stayed afloat on an extra seat cushion.

pic courtesy : Ferdinand Puentes

Just after the small plane which he was aboard suffered engine failure, Mr. Puentes pulled out his cellphone and began taking photos of the aircraft’s descent. After the plane hit the water, Mr. Puentes, floating amid the wreckage with phone still in hand, took the photo of himself. In the background, the plane can be seen sinking to the ocean floor.

“As sirens and bells of the airplane were going, it was quiet. Everyone knew what was going on,” Mr. Puentes recently told a local station in his first interview since the Dec. 11 ordeal. “Seeing the water coming up real fast — the splash down when we hit the water — it just bit into me, like, ‘am I dreaming?’”

“Steel-toed boots, heavy work jeans, and long sleeve shirt. It was hard and exhausting to swim with all that,” Puentes said.

He eventually was pulled from the water by the U.S. Coast Guard and taken to a medical facility, but not before staying afloat for hours in boots, jeans and a long-sleeve shirt.

“It was hard and exhausting to swim with all that,” Mr. Puentes told the station. He only managed to stay above water because of an extra seat cushion given to him by the pilot.

“A lot of things seem petty now. Can’t take things for granted,” he said. One person died in the crash. An investigation is underway.

sources

Puentes is seen clinging onto a wing of the aircraft. Another image shows other passengers holding on to plane debris to stay afloat. Pic courtesy : Ferdinand Puentes

pic courtesy : Ferdinand Puentes

One passenger died in the crash, Hawaii’s Health Director Loretta Fuddy. The National Transportation Safety Board is still investigating what caused the plane to lose power.

liked it ..! ?

Share with your friends and families

Aerospace

EASA Ends Suspension on PIA, Approves Flights to Europe

Pakistan's National Airline Set for Privatization as Elections Loom

The suspension of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) from operating in Europe is finally over, marking a significant turning point for Pakistan’s aviation sector.

After years of scrutiny and stringent safety assessments, the European Commission and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have officially lifted the ban on PIA. This decision also grants Airblue authorization to operate flights to Europe, further enhancing Pakistan’s connectivity with the region.

Is the U.S. Ready to Deliver F-35 Jets to Turkey? Diplomatic Breakthrough on the Horizon

PIA’s suspension, initially imposed in June 2020, was a direct consequence of concerns regarding the oversight capabilities of Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA). These concerns were triggered shortly after a tragic PIA plane crash that claimed 97 lives, prompting an investigation into the validity of pilot licenses issued in the country.

Now, after four years of continuous efforts and reforms by the PCAA, EASA has expressed renewed confidence in Pakistan’s aviation regulatory framework. In a statement, EASA highlighted that Pakistan has successfully addressed safety compliance issues, enabling PIA to resume its operations within the European Union.

A spokesperson for PIA expressed optimism, emphasizing the airline’s commitment to strictly adhere to EASA’s regulations and guidelines. “This milestone has been achieved after four years of relentless efforts by the PIA management,” the spokesperson said.

These are the Best and Worst Airports in the World for 2024

The lifting of the ban is expected to have a profound impact on PIA’s future. The airline, which employs over 7,000 people, has faced criticism in the past for poor management, financial instability, and regulatory challenges.

However, the restoration of European operations is seen as a vital step toward regaining its competitive edge, improving its financial standing, and restoring its reputation on the global stage.

Pakistan’s government, which has been exploring options to privatize the debt-laden national carrier, is hopeful that this development will attract foreign investment and bolster the country’s aviation industry.

With a renewed focus on compliance and safety, PIA is now poised to rebuild its presence in Europe, offering Pakistani travelers and international passengers more connectivity and improved service.