Pilot’s partner seeks damages

THE partner of renowned aerobatics pilot Glen Dell, who crashed his airplane nearly six years ago at the Secunda Air Show, is claiming more than R17 million in damages from, among others, the organisers of the show.

Jacqueline Eckersley said in papers before the Gauteng High Court that if there had been more safety precautions in place and if the fire trucks had arrived sooner, Dell might still be alive. He died in hospital on October 12, 2013.

His partner claimed that the rescue and firefighting services on duty were not up to standard. This, she said, led to a delay in bringing the fire under control and rescueing Dell.

She instituted her claim against the Recreation Aviation Administration of South Africa (Raasa), the Aeroclub of South Africa, Air Show South Africa and Sasol Limited.

Eckersley stated that special air events are conducted under the supervision and control of Raasa, and that it had certain obligations in terms of statutory provisions and regulations to ensure that there were adequate safety measures in place.

Her claim is for the loss of financial support and maintenance that she would have received from Dell.

Raasa is a non-profit company designated by the Civil Aviation Authority to establish safety standards relating to aviation recreation.

Sasol was cited as a defendant as it provided the fire brigade service at this air show.

Eckersley stated that she is unemployed and that she and Dell were life partners until his death. She said he undertook a duty to maintain and support her since they had moved in together in September 1989.

Eckersley stated that at the time of his death, Dell had been a senior captain at SAA. He also earned an additional income as a test and display pilot. She said her loss after Dell’s death is estimated at R17.7m.

All the defendants are defending the claim and they deny any negligence.

Raasa has raised preliminary legal objections to the claim, which was due to be argued in court this week.

The matter, however, was not ready to proceed and has been postponed.