Ministry of National Security Answers Questions about Fatal Crash

Steven Ortega

This evening, at six, the Ministry of National Security issued a twenty-three-page written report that was produced by the Honduran Air Force Team.  The ministry offered to host the media in a Q and A session after they have reviewed the report. We’ll have more on this in Wednesday’s newscast.  But back to today’s briefing, where the panel answered questions about the weather, fuel and other matters related to the helicopter. Here’s how that went:

Reporter

“What analysis is being done about of weather and by what means?”

Brig. Gen. Steven Ortega, Commander, B.D.F.

“Well, it is in the report. It is referred to by the National Meteorological Service assisted the Hondurans and all of the members of the investigative team. They spoke and did consider very seriously weather conditions at that time.”

Reporter

“Can you say how much fuel the helicopter had and what distance that fuel would have allowed the helicopter to travel?”

Michael Peyrefitte

Michael Peyrefitte, Minister of National Security

“I don’t know how much fuel it had at the time but I know from what the investigation revealed is that the maximum time it could hover or travel would be about two or three hours, I think.”

Reporter

“So, in effect then, the helicopter could have hovered for two or three hours, yet it was missing for a number of hours until anyone realized it. What can you say about that?”

Michael Peyrefitte

“That is a part of the ongoing investigation.”

Reporter

“Was there any previous mechanical failure that was brought to your attention in relation to that helicopter?”

Brig. Gen. Steven Ortega

“Previous? The engineers do checks and whenever there are issues, we repair and fix them.”

Reporter

“So, to your knowledge that helicopter was flying just fine?”

Brig. Gen. Steven Ortega

“Yes. It was excellent; it was in excellent condition.”