Aviation investigators search for crash clues

While mourners plan for a candlelight vigil at dusk tonight to honor the Cape Girardeau family of six who died in a plane crash on Sunday, investigators are searching for answers to why the aircraft went down.

Dr. Mohammad Shakil piloted a small, six-seat Piper PA-32 that crashed in a wooded area near Paron, Ark. The passengers included his wife, Farida, their sons Osman and Hassan, and daughters Sabeen and Rabiya. The family was on a weekend trip to Hot Springs, Ark., and were headed home before the accident.

No mechanical reasons for the crash have been discovered, but the search for the cause continues, said Hector Casanova, acting supervisor with the National Transportation Safety Board regional office in Texas.

On Monday, investigators examined the aircraft's frame, but found no problems, Casanova said. The engine was taken to Clinton, Ark., on Tuesday for examination.

"They did an engine tear down, but no anomalies were found," he said. "We start ruling out the mechanical first, then we look at a pilot's background and training."

Interviews will be conducted with the persons who fueled the plane before its takeoff on Sunday and with those who loaded it, Casanova said. Little is known about what happened right before the plane went down, but a few things have become clear.

"We do know the pilot had full controllability of the aircraft prior to the crash," he said. "And he had plenty of fuel."

The NTSB will publish a preliminary report about the crash on the Internet within five working days, but it may change as more facts may become known, he said.

Experienced pilotInformation about Shakil's accumulation of flight hours and training would have been kept in his pilot's log, which was likely on board the plane, Casanova said.

Shakil's most recent private pilot's certificate was issued Oct. 8, 2000. He was working on establishing an instrument rating, enabling him to fly using only the information provided by the plane's instrument panel. He had logged about 250 flight hours over the last five years, which is considered fairly high, said Bruce Loy, manager of the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport.

"I only have 310, and I consider myself to be a safe pilot," he said. "That's not a low number of hours. It only takes 40 to get your license. He's been flying 50 hours a year, and the average for a recreational pilot is 25 to 35."

Sunday's weather in central Arkansas was overcast, with a 900-foot cloud ceiling and 10 miles of visibility in Hot Springs.

Vigil for childrenTonight's candlelight vigil at the Shakil's residence, 1342 Ashland Hills Drive, was organized primarily for the Shakil children's friends, who may be unable to attend funerals as arrangements are pending, said family friend Omar Aziz.

Relatives were told some of the bodies were released Tuesday and the rest would be released today, Aziz said. Details about the funeral services, which are being directed by Ford and Sons Funeral Home, are also expected to be announced today.

Shakil operated his neurology practice alone, but had a partnership previously. His office manager, Tina Plaskie, said a replacement physician will treat the deceased doctor's former patients, who are being asked to phone in to reschedule appointments. The details of who the replacement will be should be worked out in about a week.

mwells@semissourian.com

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