Montserrat Airways Limited – the operator of Fly Montserrat may soon face a lawsuit arising from the death of Captain Jason Forbes, the pilot killed when the company’s plane crashed at VC Bird International Airport in 2012.
In speaking exclusively with Observer media, Captain Forbes’ widow, Florisca Forbes announced that she is contemplating legal action to hold the company accountable for the death of her husband suggesting that serious management failings led to the tragedy.
In a report coming out of Antigua, Forbes told OBSERVER media, “What has me concerned is the approach Nigel (Harris) has taken with me – his lawyers too…I took a letter to the DPP here in Antigua and I sent one to Montserrat to look into the case and if required I’ll charge Nigel for corporate manslaughter because I don’t see nowhere else to go, I’m not getting justice for what is happening.”
the pilot and the woman who had died in the crash
Forbes also told the Antiguan media house that since the crash that also killed two passengers, she has not heard from the company for which he worked and for whom he was flying when he died. In addition she claimed she only received his pay for the month in which he died.
“I’m not hearing anything…nobody has not said anything to me. Since that crash I haven’t heard from Nigel Harris, he hasn’t called me or written to me or my mother-in-law, not even a letter. I am aggrieved, I’m upset. The baby is one now and by biggest son is six now. My children are fatherless,” Forbes said.
At the time of the tragedy, Forbes was three months pregnant with her second child, the older son was four years old then.
Apart from not hearing from Fly Montserrat, Forbes said she wrote to the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA) seeking an update on the cause of the crash, but never got a response.
In the meantime Fly Montserrat issued a statement to ZJB News on the claims of legal action being considered by the widow of former Fly Montserrat pilot Jason Forbes. In response the company says, Fly Montserrat’s Legal team continues to work with the legal teams representing all parties concerned in the unfortunate accident. Consistent with normal practice, the company says communication has been maintained and will continue to be maintained with the families through their chosen legal representatives.
The statement also indicated that it would be inappropriate for Fly Montserrat to speak directly with any family member or to make any further comment at this time.
